ObamaCare under fire in ‘vote-a-rama’

Senate Republicans are targeting ObamaCare in the chamber’s marathon session on budget amendments known as a “vote-a-rama” on Thursday.

{mosads}Senators have proposed 85 healthcare-related amendments, including a full repeal of ObamaCare, a ban on any ObamaCare marketing and a shift of Medicaid into states’ control.

The symbolic proposals are among more than 600 amendments that the Senate will consider during the “vote-a-rama,” which is expected to last through late Thursday.

Senate Democrats used their budget amendments to try to ward off attacks against the Affordable Care Act, which just passed its five-year anniversary.

Several Democrats, including Senate Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), tried to strike a portion of the budget that “makes it easier to address Obamacare,” known as reconciliation.

Another proposal from Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) would increase funding for the cash-strapped IRS to help enforce the healthcare law.

This year marks the first time that the newly GOP-controlled Senate will put forward its own budget. While it will not become law under President Obama, the budget process allows lawmakers to make political statements about their priorities.