BEIJING, Aug. 4 (Xinhuanet) -- U.S. Senate rejected a combined minimum wage increase in nearly a decade and inheritance tax cut on multimillion-dollar estates late Thursday. 

    Republicans needed 60 votes to advance their bill, which links a 2.10 U.S. dollars increase in the 5.15 dollars federal minimum wage to an estate tax cut.

    Passed by the House last Saturday, the bill got a 56-42 vote, four votes short of succeeding.

    For Republicans, the combination could defuse a Democratic campaign issue while promoting a Grand Old Party (GOP) priorities.

    Republicans were dealt a blow, however, when two Democrats, Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray of Washington, announced they planned to oppose the GOP's bill.

    Republicans said Democrats will pay a price in November, contending that most Americans support the bill's call for an increase in the minimum wage and deep cuts in the estate tax.  Enditem

    (Agencies)