WASHINGTON — Senator Orrin G. Hatch, Republican of Utah, wants to make sure children do not munch edible marijuana. Senator David Vitter, Republican of Louisiana, wants to prevent “Washington elites” from forcing Americans to give up their paper dollar bills and use coins like Europeans.

Senator Dean Heller, Republican of Nevada, would allow open season on the sage grouse or, more specifically, development on the bird’s habitat, while Senator John Thune, Republican of South Dakota, would like federal protection for the beleaguered northern long-eared bat.

The “vote-orama” has begun, and with night falling Thursday, there is no end in sight.

In one of those dubious traditions of the upper chamber of Congress, the Senate has opened its well to an unlimited number of amendments to the budget blueprint for the coming fiscal year.

Image Sheets with vote tallies. Credit... Gabriella Demczuk for The New York Times

Some are politically freighted. Some are parochial. Some are serious. Some are not.

But none of them are binding, even if they are collectively time consuming. The Senate is likely to stay in session through the night, finally voting on the budget by dawn. At last count, 739 amendments had been introduced for consideration. Not all will be voted on, but the tally may grow.