Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., opened an unusual Sunday session with an appeal to restive conservatives to refrain from blowing up an effort to pass a highway funding bill that would include re-authorization of the deeply unpopular Export-Import Bank.

McConnell's far-right flank is angry he won't give priority to a string of conservative amendments that are popular with the base, including one that would strip taxpayer funding from Planned Parenthood, whose officials were videotaped haggling over the sale of fetal tissue.

"We know there are many ideas on both sides of the aisle," McConnell said Sunday. "But we also know that time is running short to complete work on the highway bill. Jobs are on the line."

McConnell signaled the Senate may consider the disputed amendments another time in the near future.

"We'll have more opportunities to address other issues in the weeks and months ahead … to make sure votes on other priorities occur," McConnell said.

The Senate opened with a subtle rebuke against Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, who in anger over the amendment process on Friday took to the floor to accuse McConnell of lying about the Ex-Im Bank reauthorization and reneging on an earlier commitment to allow his amendments.

Cruz wants the Senate to consider a string of amendments, including one that would require congressional lawmakers and the president to enroll in Obamacare. Under current law, they are exempted from the law.

Cruz said he had been assured by McConnell his amendments would be allowed and called the promise of a deal, "a flat-out lie."

Cruz on Sunday is expected to demand a vote on whether one of his amendments should be considered germane, or relevant, to the legislation.

The amendment would require Iran to recognize Israel as a state.

Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., urged lawmakers to vote against allowing the Cruz amendment, saying it would set a precedent that would make it impossible to deny any amendment.

"There will be chaos," Alexander said.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, who was serving as the Senate president pro tempore, instructed lawmakers to follow a Senate rule prohibiting lawmakers from making disparaging remarks about fellow Senators.

On Friday, McConnell sought to appeal the right by setting in motion a parliamentary procedure that will allow the Senate to quickly consider a standalone bill stripping federal funding from Planned Parenthood.

The Senate will vote on two amendments on Sunday. One would revive the Ex-Im Bank, which most conservatives oppose. A second amendment would repeal Obamacare.