The Senate just completed a procedural vote on repeal of the estate tax, and the motion was not agreed to. The Republican leadership would have needed 60 votes in order to proceed with consideration of full repeal of the estate tax; the final vote count was 57-41. Sens. Max Baucus (D-MT), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Ben Nelson (D-NE), and Bill Nelson (D-NE) were the only Democrats to vote in favor of cloture, while Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) and George Voinovich (R-OH) voted with a majority of Democrats against cloture. A number of Senators on the fence ended up voting against the motion to proceed, including Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Patty Murray (D-WA), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), and Mark Pryor (D-AR). Two Senators were not present, Rockefeller (D-WV) and Schumer (D-NY). Rockefeller is still recovering from back surgery, and it is not immediately known why Schumer was not present. Your calls and emails, as well as extensive media coverage around how irresponsible estate tax repeal would be contributed to this victory. More information on the immediate next steps regarding the estate tax will be coming soon. Washington Post: Senate Rejects Effort to Cut Estate Tax