Republicans ripped the Dems for restricting amendments and debate on a measure funding Commerce, Justice and Science programs, saying the Democrats were just trying to protect higher levels of spending.

"This debate is about runaway federal spending, and the American people have had enough of it," said Rep. Mike Pence (R-Indiana.)

"Democrats Rule With Iron Fist," read the headline on the Capitol Hill newspaper Roll Call.

"GOP Protests Amendment Shutdown," was the story on Politico.

Outside the Beltway, this really doesn't make much of an impact. But Inside the Beltway, this is a movie that I have seen before.

The Majority steps on the Minority, and all it does is succeed in uniting the Minority.

I've seen Democrats do it to the GOP from 1991-94, the GOP do it to the Democrats after taking over, and now the Dems are throwing their weight around, unfairly in the mind of Republican lawmakers.

"They want to completely flatten out any opposition to runaway federal spending," said Rep. Peter Roskam of Illinois.

Democrats meanwhile argued that Republicans were playing political games and trying to score political points with tricked up amendments.

Lost in the battle was the fact that this first budget bill has almost 1100 earmarks, a signal that both parties are still interested in pork barrel spending.

The House should finish the bill on Thursday, including a possible vote to block the use of any money to close down the terrorism detainee prison at Guantanamo Bay.