WASHINGTON (AP) - Congress is moving rapidly just weeks before the start of the school year to speed billions of dollars in emergency education aid to states in hopes of reversing the layoffs of tens of thousands of
teachers.
Some $10 billion in aid to school districts is set to flow after a 61-39 Senate vote Thursday - to be followed quickly by a House vote next week - in hopes that it will come in time for many school districts to reconsider teacher layoffs.
Thursday's vote was a hard-earned but partial victory for Democrats and President Barack Obama. Advocates said it could save the jobs of up to 300,000 teachers, police and other public workers.
The measure would provide another $16 billion to help states fund their Medicaid budgets - and therefore free money for other budget priorities such as avoiding tax increases and preserving the jobs of state employees. About three-fifths of states have already factored in the federal help when budgeting for this fiscal year.