Obama urges Republicans in Senate not to block infrastructure bill

US President Barack Obama urged Republicans in Senate not to block the infrastructure bill and focus on creating jobs for the American people."For the third time in recent weeks, every single Republican in the United States Senate has chosen to obstruct a jobs bill that independent economists said would boost our economy and put Americans back to work," said Obama in a statement."At a time when more than a million construction workers are looking for a job, they voted no to putting them back to work doing the work America needs done - rebuilding our roads, bridges, airports and transit systems. That makes no sense," he added.Republicans in the Senate blocked a bill sponsored by Obama to spend USD 60 billion on building and repairing roads, rail lines and other infrastructure. The 51-49 vote fell short of the 60 votes required under Senate procedures to initiate the bill.Obama noted that "it makes no sense when you consider that this bill was made up of the same kinds of common-sense proposals that many of these Senators have fought for in the past. It was fully paid for." "Even though it was supported by more than 70 percent of the American people - Republicans, Democrats, and independents - 100 percent of Senate Republicans said no. It is more clear than ever that Republicans in Washington are out of touch with Americans from all ends of the political spectrum," he added.Obama affirmed that the American people "deserve to know why their Republican representatives in Washington refuse to put some of the workers hit hardest by the economic downturn back on the job rebuilding America. They deserve an explanation as to why Republicans refuse to step up to the plate and do what's necessary to create jobs and grow the economy right now."It is time for Republicans in Congress to put country ahead of party and listen to the people they were elected to serve. It is time for them to do their job and focus on Americans' jobs. And until they do, I will continue to do everything in my power to move this country forward," he concluded.