The Senate approved a budget amendment Thursday that supports a repeal of the estate tax.

Senators voted 54-46 on the amendment. Sen. Susan Collins Susan Margaret CollinsJeff Flake: Republicans 'should hold the same position' on SCOTUS vacancy as 2016 Trump supporters chant 'Fill that seat' at North Carolina rally Momentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day MORE (R-Maine) broke rank and voted against the amendment, while Sen. Joe Manchin Joseph (Joe) ManchinMomentum growing among Republicans for Supreme Court vote before Election Day Gardner on court vacancy: Country needs to mourn Ginsburg 'before the politics begin' Barrett seen as a front-runner for Trump Supreme Court pick MORE (D-W.Va.) voted for it.

ADVERTISEMENT

Thune, ahead of the vote, said "a death in the family should not be a taxable event. ... It also hits farmers particularly hard."

Like many votes taken during the "vote-a-rama," the approval isn't binding, but it sets the stage for a decision later in the appropriations process.