Estate Tax Bill Dies

Here is an excerpt from Carl Hulse, Wage Bill Dies; Senate Backs Pension Shift, NY Times, August 3, 2006:

Senate Democrats on Thursday [August 3, 2006] blocked legislation tying the first minimum wage increase in almost a decade to a decrease in the federal estate tax, denying Republicans a legislative victory as lawmakers head into a crucial month of campaigning before the November elections.

Republican backers of the measure * * * fell 4 votes short of the 60 needed to cut off debate. Democrats had argued that it was a bad bargain to exchange a $2.10 wage increase for struggling workers for a costly tax cut for the country’s wealthiest families.

Follow this link for a report of how each Senator voted.