Emergency Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act Also Cuts Deficit by $1.4 Billion
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) voted to save and create almost 320,000 jobs – including saving the jobs of 160,000 teachers 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 is not only completely paid for, it reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years—in part by closing a loophole that actually encourages corporations to ship American jobs overseas.
"Today's bill saves and creates over 300,000 jobs," said Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.). "It helps the workers on the frontlines of America communities - teachers, firefighters and police officers. It also closes corporate tax loopholes that ship American jobs overseas and cuts the deficit by $1.4 billion over ten years. This bill is one more way we're moving our economy forward instead of backward into the failed policies of the past."
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. The bill prevents 16,500 teacher layoffs and saves almost $2 billion in Medicaid funding in California alone.
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.
Congresswoman Chu's career in politics spans 24 years. Prior to her election to Congress she served three terms as the Assemblymember representing the 49th District, where she chaired the important Assembly Appropriations Committee. A lifelong educator, Congresswoman Chu taught community college classes in Los Angeles and East Los Angeles for 20 years. She holds a Ph.D. in psychology and a B.A. in mathematics.
