It begins. Crazy Republican amendments designed to trap Democrats are beginning to leak out.
Briefly, if any amendment to the reconciliation bill passes on the Senate floor, the reconciliation bill has to go back to the House for another vote. So Democrats have to vote against all amendments to prevent the reconciliation fixes from being stalled. This leaves an opportunity for Republicans to propose amendments that trap Democrats. For example. This tweet just came down via Brian Beutler:
Sen Coburn plans to introduce #hcr amendment that would deny erectile dysfunction drugs to sex offenders
Get it? The Democrats have to vote against this amendment. However, a vote against it allows Republicans to produce commercials saying: "Holy crap! Democrat Senator X voted to give boner pills to child molesters!"
Ugh.
At the same time, the Democrats can counter-attack using Republican votes against the reconciliation bill. For example, the reconciliation bill strips out the "Cornhusker Kickback." A vote against the reconciliation bill is, in effect, a vote for the Cornhusker Kickback.