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To protest the passage of health care reform, Senate Republicans have invoked a rarely used Senate rule to prevent committees from meeting after 2 pm.

Jim Manley, a spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.), chided the Republican's decision.

"Republicans are using tricks to shut down several key Senate committees," said Manley in a written statement. "These political games and obstruction have to stop – the American people expect and deserve better.”

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) vowed on the Senate floor Wednesday that his party will continue their opposition to a set of amendments to the health care bill signed by Barack Obama Tuesday.

"We’ll continue to fight until this bill is repealed and replaced," McConnell said.

According to Senate guidelines, committees can only meet two hours after the session begins with unanimous consent, or if the requirement is suspended, which it typically is.

Hearings postponed for Wednesday include an Armed Services hearing on U.S. forces in Korea and a Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on contracts for the training of the Afghan National Police.

An Appropriations committee hearing with the Office of Personnel and Management director John Berry was allowed to proceed. According to a staffer for the committee, Appropriations is exempt from the unanimous consent requirement under Senate rules.