Bill Provides Aid to States to Save 320,000 Jobs; Lowers National Deficit by Closing Tax Loopholes

U.S. Congressman Joe Baca – 43rd District

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Joe Baca (D-Rialto) voted to save and create almost 320,000 jobs – including saving the jobs of 160,000 teachers nationwide, and preventing the layoffs of tens of thousands of police officers, firefighters, and nurses.  The House reconvened this week to take up this emergency aid to help states keep teachers in our classrooms and first responders on duty.   The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, which is completely paid for and reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years, passed the House with a 247 to 161 vote.

“In these tough economic times, too many communities here in the Inland Empire have been forced to make tough funding choices for important public services like education and public safety,” said Rep. Baca.  “I am glad to come back to Washington this week to vote on a bill that saves over 16,500 teaching jobs in California – including an estimated 399 teaching jobs in my own Congressional District.  Not only does this fiscally responsible bill keep teachers and first responders on the job, but it also reduces the deficit by closing tax loopholes that encourage companies to ship jobs overseas.”

The legislation provides $10 billion in funding to save more than 160,000 teacher jobs.  It also provides $16.1 billion in health assistance to the states that, by reducing shortfalls and stimulating the economy, will save and create 158,000 jobs, including preventing the layoffs of police officers and firefighters, as well as creating private-sector jobs throughout our economy.

“I am proud to stand today with America’s teachers, firefighters and middle class families,” said Rep. Baca.  “The education of our children and the safety of our communities is simply too precious to jeopardize.  And by actually decreasing our deficit, today’s legislation ensures we do not pass on any additional debt to our future generations.  Unfortunately, with their continued opposition and obstruction to job saving measures, Congressional Republicans again have shown they continue to support the special interests over hardworking American families.”

The funding in the bill is supported by a majority of the nation’s Governors, including many Republican Governors, and by numerous organizations, including the bipartisan National Conference of State Legislatures, National Association of Counties and the Leadership Council of Aging Organizations.

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