Alternate headline: Senile old man continues to rant incoherently about imaginary enemies.

(CNN) — Senate Republicans on Wednesday blocked a top legislative and political priority of Democrats, a bill to increase the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour.

The measure failed to gain enough support in a procedural vote to open debate.

In framing the issue ahead of November’s midterm elections, Democrats have portrayed the GOP as insensitive to the needs of low-wage workers.

Polls show a strong majority of Americans surveyed back raising the minimum wage, which currently stands at $7.25.

Even if the Senate had moved ahead with the legislation, there was little chance the House, which is led by Republicans, would have taken it up.

Still, Democrats are vowing to return to the issue.