Senate Postpones Estate Tax Vote until September
The American people and the U.S. Senate have lived in a state
of suspense for months now, waiting for the outcome of the battle over repeal
of the estate tax. It appears now we'll have to keep living in suspense
for a while longer.
On July 29, Senator Bill Frist (R-TN) motioned for a cloture
vote on H.R. 8 (the "Death Tax Repeal Permanency Act of 2005").
A vote of cloture by the Senate would place a time limit on consideration
of the bill, thereby preventing a filibuster. If cloture were to pass by
a vote of three fifths (the same 60 votes Republicans have so far failed
to muster for permanent repeal), consideration of the matter could be limited
to 30 additional hours. Such a vote would not ensure permanent repeal, but
it would raise the pressure on those senators still riding the fence.
However, due to effective Democrat opposition, the cloture
vote will have to wait until after the August recess. Sen. Frist has said
he plans to call for a vote when the Senate reconvenes on September 6, the
day after Labor Day.
Source: The Business Review, 7-29-05
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