WASHINGTON — Senators get their first chance today to vote on the tax-cut deal struck by President Barack Obama and Republicans, but whatever the outcome of the test vote, the White House expects the bill to pass by year’s end.

“Everybody understands what it would mean for the economy if we don’t get this done,” Obama adviser David Axelrod said Sunday.

The No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin of Illinois, said a “good cross-section” of senators in his party are ready to accept the deal.

The legislation would avert a Jan. 1 increase in income taxes for nearly all Americans, including middle and high earners. The package also would renew a program of jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and put in place a one-year cut in Social Security taxes.

“We believe that when it comes back to the House, that we will get a vote, and that we’ll prevail there, because at the end of the day, no one wants to see taxes go up on 150 million Americans,” Axelrod said.

While many House Democrats have criticized the tax deal, Axelrod said he didn’t foresee “major changes” being made by the House.

Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Democratic leadership, made clear that Democrats strongly object to extending breaks to estates as large as $5 million. He said the package will be taken up in the House in some form, but there would be an effort to change the estate tax provision.

“We’re not talking about blocking the whole thing,” Van Hollen said.