From today's TaxAnalysts: An amendment proposing permanent repeal of the estate tax has been added to an energy bill - the Energy Policy Tax Incentives Act - going to the Senate Finance Committee today, June 16, for markup. The amendment was one of five added by Senate Majority Leader William Frist (R-TN) to the $16 billion energy tax title including 56 total amendments. Although many of the amendments will be withdrawn and others added before reaching the Senate floor, some suspect that Senator Frist will keep the estate tax amendment to obligate Democrats to vote on the contentious issue. Before becoming law, the amendment would have to be approved by the Finance Committee and full Senate as well as survive conference negotiations with the House of Representatives.