There were 564 amendments filed to the enormous health reform bill being considered this week in the Senate Finance Committee. This morning — 26 hours after the debate began — the panel is still arguing over the first.

A provision sponsored by Sen. Jim Bunning (R-Ky.) would force committee leaders to draft legislative language — in lieu of the plain English provisions currently being considered — and post the bill on the panel’s Website for at least 72 hours prior to the committee vote.

The argument is entirely partisan. “This is fundamentally a delay tactic,” said Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.).

“Time is our ally, not our enemy,” responded Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine).

At this pace the panel will vote out a bill by Easter.