Obama’s $26 Billion Package Is Passed; Will Prevent Nearly 300,000 Layoffs

A wave of relief has been sent out across the country as the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Obama’s $26 billion state aid bill on Tuesday. The bill consists of two parts: $16 billion in state Medicaid funding and $10 billion to save nearly 300,000 teachers, nurses, firefighters, and police officers from being laid off.

The Senate doled out a 247-161 vote. The passage of the bill can rely a great deal on the Democrat majority in the house, as only two Republicans in the House of Representatives voted for the bill, while only three Democrats voted against it.

House Republican Leader John Boenher is not a fan of the bill. In a statement, Boehner said “Everyone knows the state budgets have been hit hard and no one wants teachers or police officers to lose their jobs. But where do the bailouts end?” Boener claimed that “American people [are] asking Congress to focus on creating jobs and [to cut] spending.”

Members of the house were called back from the August recess to vote on the bill. The bill was approved by the U.S. Senate last week.