Repeal Initiative Fails

Kyl and Senator Phil Gramm (R-TX) introduced an amendment in the Senate to permanently repeal the estate tax, but were unable to secure enough votes to pass it.

The Printing Industries of America (PIA), Alexandria, Va., reports that several senators who previously supported the repeal of the estate tax opted to vote against the amendment. Those senators included: John Breaux (D-LA), Jean Carnahan (D-MO), Tom Carper (D-DE), Lincoln Chafee (R-RI), Diane Feinstein (D-CA), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Herb Kohl (D-WI), John McCain (R-AZ), Patty Murry (D-WA), and Robert Torricelli (D-NJ).

PIA officials are asking printers who want the tax repealed to let their senators know, and to thank those legislators who voted in favor of the amendment, especially the proposal's sponsors.

Key senators who continued to support the repeal of the tax, says PIA, included: Max Baucus (D-MT), Evan Bayh (D-IN), Max Cleland (D-GA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Mike Dewine (R-OH), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Blanche Lambert Lincoln (D-AR), Zell Miller (D-GA), Ben Nelson (D-NE), Bill Nelson (D-FL), Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Arlen Spector (R-PA), George Voinovich (R-OH), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).