By Mary O’KEEFE

On Tuesday the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1586, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act. President Barack Obama immediately signed the bill into law.
The measure includes $10 billion in funding that targeted saving teachers jobs, and $16.1 billion in health assistance to states thus reducing shortfalls which will allow states to save police and fire jobs, according to Democrat leaders.
“Keeping our teachers in the classroom and our police officers, firefighters and first responders on the job is critical to the well-being of our country, community and kids,” said Rep. Adam Schiff. “Glendale has already announced they are calling back all of the teachers that received pink slips and it is my hope that other school boards can do the same. Our kids didn’t choose to be in school during a terrible recession, and it would be tragically counterproductive for our state to shortchange their education.”
The 29th Congressional District will receive an estimated $13.7 million, saving about 200 K-12 teaching jobs, according to Schiff.
The vote went along party lines with 245 Democrats and two Republicans voting yes, and three Democrats and 158 Republicans voting no.  There was one vacancy in the 435-member House.
Schiff voted for the measure while Congressman David Dreier voted against it.
“The fact is these jobs never should have been in jeopardy in the first place. If the state and federal governments had done their job and passed budgets for the coming year, this situation would not have happened. Until there is discipline and accountability in both the federal and
state budget process, funding for all of our priorities, from teachers to national security, will be at risk,” Dreier responded.

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