Via AFP:

US Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a hotly-contested effort to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour, a move President Barack Obama vowed to turn to his party's election-year advantage.

A united Democratic front convinced just one Republican, Bob Corker, to back the measure, and with a vote count of 54-42, it failed to earn the 60 votes necessary to overcome blocking tactics and begin debate on the bill.

Democrats hope the emotional issue will propel supporters to the polls in November's mid-term elections, when Obama's party will find itself in a battle to hold the ...