WASHINGTON, D.C. - Mary Kay Henry, President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), issued the following statement after the American Jobs Act failed to receive the 60 votes necessary to proceed with an up or down vote in the U.S. Senate:

This evening, Senators who voted to block an up or down vote on the American Jobs Act turned their backs on more than 14 million unemployed Americans. At a time when so many American families are hurting, it is truly unconscionable to play politics with their lives and our economy. There is no excuse for blocking this bill.

"Americans across the country are raising their voices to protest our broken economy and failing political system. Sadly, this vote validates their concerns and proves their point. By blocking the bill, Senators voted in favor of tax giveaways for millionaires, Wall Street and corporate CEOs.

"The American Jobs Act will put Americans to work now and it deserves an up or down vote in both the House and Senate."

With 2.1 million members in Canada, the United States and Puerto Rico, SEIU is the fastest-growing union in the Americas. Focused on uniting workers in healthcare, public services and property services, SEIU members are winning better wages, healthcare and more secure jobs for our communities, while uniting their strength with their counterparts around the world to help ensure that workers--not just corporations and CEOs--benefit from today's global economy. www.seiu.org

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