Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) announced that Senate consideration of H.R. 8, a bill that would permanently repeal the estate tax, has been postponed so that the chamber can consider disaster-relief legislation. Before recessing for the August district work period, Frist had indicated that a vote on permanent repeal of the estate tax would take place today, September 6. While it is unclear when a vote on permanent repeal will take place, a spokesman for the Majority Leader did indicate that Frist remains committed to bringing permanent repeal of the estate tax to the floor sometime this year.