* Senate to vote Friday on several options
* Negotiations over Bush-era tax cuts continue
* Closed-door meeting called constructive, in Day 2 (Recasts, adds comments from Senators)
By Kim Dixon and Thomas Ferraro
WASHINGTON, Dec 2 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate will take a series of votes on Friday to extend Bush-era tax cuts, in dueling plans which Democrats hope will highlight their aim to extend lower rates for family income only up to $250,000.
The action will come a day after the U.S. House of Representatives, in the waning days of Democratic control, passed an extension of Bush-era tax cuts for the lower and middle classes in a symbolic vote that would let tax cuts for the wealthiest expire.
That measure, which passed 234-188, is expected to die in the Senate, where Republicans have the votes to block it.
Despite the likely outcome, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will hold a vote on a version of House bill on Friday, Democratic Senators said.
"We want to lay it out there and finally get votes on what we're for," Democratic Senator Tom Harkin said after a meeting with Democrats late on Thursday.
They will also vote on two Republican alternatives that would permanently extend all the tax cuts or extend them for five years. A compromise measure offered by Democratic Senator Charles Schumer, which would let the top tax rates expire only on income above $1 million a year, will also be voted on, according to aides.
All of these measures are expected to fail as congressional leaders and the Obama administration continue talks behind closed doors on a potential compromise.
"The talks are ongoing and productive, but any reports that we are near a deal in the tax cut negotiations are inaccurate and premature," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
Most Democrats say Republicans were willing to jeopardize low tax rates for middle- and lower-income taxpayers to ensure low taxes for the wealthiest Americans.
The tax cuts were signed into law by former President George W. Bush in 2001 and 2003 and are set to expire Dec. 31.
"The Republicans want to continue to keep middle-income tax cuts hostage until it is combined with upper-income tax cuts," said Democratic Representative Sander Levin, head of the tax-writing panel in the House.
Republicans countered that allowing any tax rates to rise would threaten the economy, which is suffering from high unemployment rates.