vote-a-rama

noun

vote-a-ra·​ma ˌvō-tə-ˈrä-mə 

-ˈra-

plural vote-a-ramas

U.S. government

: an unusually large number of debates and votes that happen in one day on a single piece of legislation to which an unlimited number of amendments can be introduced, debated, and voted on

The Senate defines it as 15 or more votes that happen on a piece of legislation in a single day (while vote-a-ramas are often done on budget resolutions, they can be about any piece of legislation, like the health care bill). After the allotted time of debate on a bill expires, any senator can introduce an unlimited number of amendments to a piece of legislation. They then vote on the amendments, marathon-style. This can go on for hours.

—Jessica Estepa

Passing a budget resolution is part of a process known as reconciliation, which allows legislation to pass in the Senate with only a simple majority instead of the typical 60-vote threshold, meaning Democrats would be able to green-light it without any Republican votes. But Republicans forced Democrats to go on the record with a series of votes on a slew of amendments in the politically painful "vote-a-rama."

—Grace Segers

Examples of vote-a-rama in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

And during that vote-a-rama, the bill could change significantly. —Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 27 June 2025

Once a procedural vote to advance the legislation is held, up to 20 hours of debate will follow, followed by a marathon amendment session known as vote-a-rama. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 26 June 2025

If that happens, a vote-a-rama could take place by that week’s end. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 11 June 2025

During the chamber’s first vote-a-rama in February, Hawley sided with Democrats on an amendment that would have prevented tax cuts for wealthy Americans if Medicaid funding is slashed. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 1 June 2025

What's next: Senators of both parties will be able to force amendment votes through a vote-a-rama, which is expected to begin Friday. —Stef W. Kight, Axios, 3 Apr. 2025

The amendment was the first in a marathon series of votes called a vote-a-rama, which is expected to last into the wee hours of Saturday morning. —Al Weaver, The Hill, 5 Apr. 2025

Senate leadership hopes to move fast, with a vote this week and vote-a-rama that could stretch into the weekend. —Stef W. Kight, Axios, 2 Apr. 2025

That will entail a lengthy all-night vote — often called a vote-a-rama with consideration of various amendments and procedures — that could drag into the weekend. —Kevin Freking, Chicago Tribune, 2 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

vote entry 2 + -arama

First Known Use

1966, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for vote-a-rama

• diorama
• panorama
• trichogramma
• gamma
• grama
• gramma