Senate Republicans sent a letter Wednesday to Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., warning him they will block efforts to try to pass a health care bill using budget reconciliation, which would require just 51 votes for passage instead of the usual 60 votes.

Republicans warned Reid that if they try to use the reconciliation process, the GOP would block any provisions in the legislation that violate a rule authored by Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., that prohibits its use for the creation of policy.