(CNN) — An election-year Democratic measure designed to ensure that women don’t face pay discrimination was blocked Tuesday by Republicans who complained that the bill was politically inspired and would reward trial lawyers at the expense of employers.

The motion, which needed 60 votes to succeed, got only 52, not one from a Republican.

President Obama issued a statement criticizing Republicans for putting “partisan politics ahead of American women and families.”

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, standing at a news conference with pay equity advocate Lilly Ledbetter, accused Republicans of “wanting to stick their heads in the sand” about the longstanding issue of women being paid less than men. “But it’s clear where Democrats stand,” Reid said.

By Ted Barrett, CNN