House approves state aid package
Reporting from Washington — The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a $26.1-billion package of state aid that would help keep nearly 140,000 teachers nationwide on the job and continue extra funding to provide healthcare services to low-income households during the recession.
The final vote was 247-161, largely along party lines. The legislation now heads to President Obama’s desk for his signature.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had called lawmakers back from their August recess to vote on the bill after it advanced from the Senate last week.
Republicans have criticized the bill, paid for by spending cuts elsewhere and closing tax loopholes, as a bailout for states and payback to Democratic allies.
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