For the fourth year in a row, the House of Representatives voted this week to abolish the federal estate tax, also known as the "death tax." Under current law, the death tax dies in 2010, but, like a vampire, is resurrected in 2011. The House-approved bill prevents the resurrection of the tax. Forty-two House Democrats joined 230 Republicans in giving the bill a 272-162 majority. Each of the last four years the Senate has blocked the bill from becoming law. This year Democrats are vowing to filibuster, meaning repeal will require 60 votes. On judicial nominations, Democrats have used the filibuster to become the Party of Obstruction. By blocking a bill to save family businesses from being forced into liquidation by a 47% federal estate tax, the Democrats would prove they are also the Party of Destruction.
