The U.S. Senate has rejected President Barack Obama's plan to create millions of new jobs through government work programs and tax breaks for businesses.

Tuesday's vote was a procedural vote — called by Democrats to see whether the bill could be brought to a full debate and final consideration.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Obama called on lawmakers to “put country ahead of party” and pass the $447 billion jobs bill. He said Republican opponents will have a hard time explaining to voters why they rejected it.

With the economy barely moving and unemployment hovering around 9 percent, Mr. Obama said the act would put thousands of teachers, police and construction workers back on the job. He said taxes for workers and small businesses would be cut.

But opponents say the president plans to pay for the bill by increasing taxes on the wealthy. They say that would hurt investment and economic growth. They also argue that the president's earlier $825 billion economic stimulus plan was a failure.

Mr. Obama has said he will work to enact provisions of the jobs bill one-by-one if lawmakers refuse to pass it as a whole. But he also said he is done waiting for lawmakers to act, and that his staff is already working on ways to boost the economy and create jobs without the need for legislation.