Even if Schumer changes his mind, some Republicans are preparing to drag out the process to inflict maximum pain on Democrats as they start negotiating changes to a $3.5 trillion social spending package. They will have many opportunities to do this, since Democrats’ best bet for lifting the ceiling on their own is reconciliation, an arduous, time-consuming procedure governed by strict budgetary rules. It also allows certain bills to be passed with just a 50-vote majority.

Some experts say it would require at least two weeks for a party-line debt-limit hike to succeed. Part of it includes the so-called vote-a-rama, which forces lawmakers to take politically uncomfortable votes back to back in an event that can last for over 12 hours.

Some Republicans already expect to delay a Democrat-only debt limit increase with amendments of their own.

“We plan to use the rules and also to slow down a lot of really bad policy that will forever transform the country,” Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, a close McConnell ally, told Insider. “I don’t mind seeing them burn up some floor time on reconciliation so it makes it less likely they can pass their reckless spending bill.”