President Barack Obama's fellow Democrats in the Senate on Wednesday won passage of a bill to renew tax cuts for tens of millions of Americans while letting some rates rise for the wealthiest, in a symbolic vote.

The legislation, certain to be rejected by the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, lets Democrats claim in advance of the November 6 elections that they passed tax cuts for most Americans only to be stymied by Republicans.

"We're in the middle of a partisan war all wound up in the crucible of an election year for president," Democratic Senator Bill Nelson said.

The Senate rejected a Republican alternative with the help of at least two Republicans. That bill would have extended the lower rates for all income levels including earnings above the $250,000 threshold.

House Republicans will advance their own symbolic bill next week extending the lower rates for all income levels. Neither bill is expected to become law.