With a vote of 247-161, the House came back from recess to pass H.R.1586 providing $26.1 billion in State-Aid Measures. Republican House members are furious at the need to return from recess for one vote, and have touted this legislation as another “stimulus” and unnecessary spending. Representative John Boehner even released a 10 point argument against the legislation. Fortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made it clear prior to the vote that “this amendment meets every test Republicans claim to be concerned about. They have no more excuses…help these workers keep their jobs and help our economy recover.”

Democrats stepped up and made a powerful statement in support of states, local governments, and labor. This legislation allocates $16.1 billion for a six-month extension of Medicaid (FMAP), $10 billion for education funding, $8.4 billion in spending rescissions, and 2 billion in cuts to Medicaid drug pricing.

These measures insure the retaining of roughly 161,000 education jobs and 158,000 police, firefighters, and other public works employees. In addition, this new funding is paid for through corrections to foreign and domestic tax provisions and reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion.

As time moves closer towards the midterm elections, this step is an encouragement to our continued efforts in promoting and fighting for the rights and aid for everyday hard working Americans. As President Obama made clear earlier today in the Rose Garden, “We can’t stand by and do nothing while pink slips are given to the men and women who educate our children or keep our communities safe.”