Sen. Al Franken was one of just 17 Democrats to vote against repealing one slice of the health reform law Wednesday that required businesses to file tax forms for purchases made above $600. The amendment passed easily 81-17.

But that doesn't mean he opposes repealing the so-called "1099 provision" that's been labeled overly burdensome. In fact, Franken had voted to repeal it in a separate vote that failed 44-54 just minutes earlier on Wednesday.

So why the change? Franken didn't like how the second version of the repeal provision was paid for.

Franken's office said the Minnesota Democrat supported the first version because it was paid for by ending tax breaks for oil companies. The measure that passed would be paid for using unspent funds selected by the Office of Management and Budget — which could target cuts in areas Franken had concerns about.

"Unfortunately, the final amendment to eliminate the 1099 rules put on the chopping block important investments that Minnesotans badly need, including emergency flood assistance and job-creating highway projects," Franken said in a statement.

The Minnesota Republican Party pounced on Franken's dueling votes Thursday, saying he flip-flopped by supporting a repeal of the 1099 provision but then voting against it.

There were multiple versions of the bills voted on yesterday in the Senate, including several that weren't voted on, and Franken was a co-sponsor of one of them. Though he voted against the measure that passed, Franken said that "the elimination of the 1099 rules is good for Minnesota businesses."