Outside of the upper chamber this afternoon, reconciliation is in the air. Republicans are fuming about the process and prepping for the fight ahead. Of course, most top GOP aides admit that there is little Republicans can do. “The skids have been greased,” one laments.

Nevertheless, Sen. Susan Collins (R., Me.) tells NRO that she sees Democrats’ use of the procedure as an “abuse” that will have a “detrimental impact” on the Senate. To fight it, she plans to offer amendments this week, as will the other Maine lady, Sen. Olympia Snowe. Snowe hints that hers will revolve around affordability and mandates.

Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.) chimes in that he will offer “lots” of amendments and that he will make sure Democrats “are fair” and allow plenty of time for debate. There is “continued resentment” around the country, he says. Hammering Democrats for their inclusion of student-loan policy in reconciliation will be a GOP aim, he adds, and a possible way to peel off votes across the aisle.

One he may be looking at is Sen. Evan Bayh (D., Ind.), who tells us that he’s still an undecided vote on reconciliation. Democratic aides add that Senators Lincoln (D., Ark.) and Nelson (D., Neb.) may also be on the fence. Meanwhile, other Dems are basking in the moment, just hours after Obamacare was signed into law. Sen. Ron Wyden (D., Ore.) says he’s confident that President Obama will continue to “refine the message” in coming months: “He has hit his stride . . . there is no substitute for the president’s bully pulpit.”