U.S. President Barack Obama is criticizing Senate Republicans for blocking a bill to rebuild the nation's infrastructure, saying their move “makes no sense.”

Mr. Obama said Thursday that the bill would have put more than 1 million unemployed Americans back to work building roads and bridges and improve airports and transit systems.

He said it is more clear than ever that Republicans in Washington are “out of touch” with Americans. He said voters deserve an explanation why Republicans refuse to do what is needed to create jobs and grow the economy.

Senate Republicans blocked debate on the bill Thursday, essentially killing it. The bill would have imposed a tax on Americans making more than $1 million a year. Opponents say it would hurt private enterprise to tax those who create jobs.

Senate Democrats immediately followed the Republicans by blocking debate on a Republican version of the bill that contained no tax increase.

Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid is accusing Republicans of doing all they can to drag down the economy and assure President Obama loses reelection in 2012.

Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell accuses Democrats of deliberately putting together a bill that they know would fail simply to send a campaign message.