Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama | TheHill – The Hill

Senate Republicans still smarting over their unexpected demotion to the minority will go on offense Thursday by forcing Democrats to take tough votes on sending stimulus checks to immigrants living in the country illegally and raising taxes on small businesses.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellSenate eyes speedy Trump impeachment trial Republicans look to pummel Democrats on school reopenings GOP blames White House staff for lack of COVID-19 relief deal MORE (R-Ky.) previewed the strategy ahead of a marathon voting session on a Democratic budget resolution that will lay the groundwork for passing a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package with a simple majority vote, avoiding a filibuster, later this year.

The voting session is described by both parties as a vote-a-rama.

Were going to put senators on the record . Well see how our colleagues vote on these basic, commonsense steps. Well see what this resolution looks like on the other side and what signals Democrats send the American people along the way, McConnell said on the floor Thursday morning.

One of the top GOP priorities is to force Democrats to vote on an amendment sponsored by Sens. Todd YoungTodd Christopher YoungRepublican 2024 hopefuls draw early battle lines for post-Trump era Senate Democrats approve budget resolution, teeing up coronavirus bill House will have to vote on budget second time as GOP notches wins MORE (R-Ind.) and Tom CottonTom Bryant CottonRepublican 2024 hopefuls draw early battle lines for post-Trump era The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - House boots Greene from committees; Senate plows ahead on budget Cotton tries to squeeze Democrats on expanding the Supreme Court MORE (R-Ark.), a potential White House candidate in 2024, that would prohibit stimulus checks forundocumented immigrants.

The amendment applies to what is expected to be the third round of direct payments following checks sent out through last years CARES Act and the $900 billion rescue package passed in December.

The amendments, however, do not have the force of law as they are being offered to a budget resolution, which does not require the presidents signature.

The Biden administration shouldnt reward illegal immigrants for breaking our laws by giving them checks, Cotton said in a statement.

A second amendment sponsored by Sen. Marco RubioMarco Antonio RubioLawmakers wager barbecue, sweets and crab claws ahead of Super Bowl Republican 2024 hopefuls draw early battle lines for post-Trump era The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - House boots Greene from committees; Senate plows ahead on budget MORE (R-Fla.), another potential White House hopeful, and Sens. Tim ScottTimothy (Tim) Eugene ScottSenate panel advances Biden's picks for Housing secretary, chief economist Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Democrats chart path to pass Biden's COVID-19 relief plan MORE (R-S.C.) and James LankfordJames Paul LankfordHow your taxes subsidize the Super Bowl and how that might change Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Facebook - Democrats chart path to pass Biden's COVID-19 relief plan MORE (R-Okla.) calls for preventing tax increases on small businesses during the pandemic.

A third amendment sponsored by Scott, Lankford and Sen. John BarrassoJohn Anthony BarrassoOVERNIGHT ENERGY:DOJ to let companies pay for environmental projects again to reduce fines | House Democrats reintroduce green energy tax package Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama Sanders, Ocasio-Cortez, Blumenauer aim to require Biden to declare climate emergency MORE (R-Wyo.) would reduce funding to states that are actively investigating nursing homes for underreported deaths.

A fourth sponsored by Sens. Roy BluntRoy Dean BluntDemocratic senator demands Rand Paul wear a mask on Senate floor Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama Missouri newspaper urges Hawley, Blunt to 'bring Trump to justice' MORE (R-Mo.) and Scott would call for withholding supplemental funding from schools that do not reopen for in-person learning even after its teachers receive coronavirus vaccines.

The fifth amendment being highlighted by the GOP leaders is sponsored by Senate Minority Whip John ThuneJohn Randolph ThuneSenate eyes speedy Trump impeachment trial House votes to kick Greene off committees over embrace of conspiracy theories Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama MORE (R-S.D.) and calls for limiting the tax liability for medical professionals who crossed state lines to make up for a shortage of health care workers in areas hit hard by the pandemic. It would protect doctors, nurses and other professionals from having to pay state and local income taxes in multiple jurisdictions, in certain cases.

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Republicans seek to play offense in vote-a-rama | TheHill - The Hill