Washington ? The Senate rejected Republican efforts Thursday to repeal the estate tax, but GOP leaders promised to try again before this election year is over.

“Wiping this vicious tax from the books is a matter of principle,” said Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn.

Senators voted 57-41 to advance the bill, but that was three votes short of the 60 needed to overcome objections from a majority of Democrats and a pair of Republicans.

“We got very close, but close doesn’t count,” said Robert Bennett, R-Utah.

Those opposed to the bill said it would deliver an unwise tax cut when the government needed more money to balance its budget and to wage war.

“This bill has nothing to do with the average American,” said Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill. “It is about the wealthiest people in America flexing their muscles and pushing through on Capitol Hill the most outrageous piece of special interest legislation in modern memory.”