The Hill News

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) announced via Twitter Monday that he would force a vote on an amendment to the small business bill that would permanently end the estate tax. 

The estate tax -- labeled by Republicans as the 'death' tax -- is at zero percent this year, but will increase to 55 percent next year without action from Congress. 

DeMint, who chairs the Senate Steering Committe, tweeted:

I'll work to force a vote this week to permanently kill the death tax.

The Small Business Jobs Act is on the Senate floor this week. The House passed a similar bill on June 17.