With the help of a handful of Republicans, Senate Democrats this morning broke a filibuster on legislation that will provide needed aid to states, preserving jobs for teachers, and boosting federal contributions to Medicaid. But with passage now imminent, Democrats have a problem: the House just adjourned for a five week recess, and until they too pass the legislation, the aid to states is only hypothetical.
This afternoon, though, a House leadership aide confirmed to TPMDC that party leaders may call members back from their districts to pass the bill and allow President Obama to sign it into law.
Most Republicans oppose the legislation, characterizing it as a bailout for unionized teachers. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid secured the votes of Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) by making sure the package does not add to the federal deficit.
We’ll follow up when we know more.
Brian Beutler
Brian Beutler is TPM's senior congressional reporter. Since 2009, he's led coverage of health care reform, Wall Street reform, taxes, the GOP budget, the government shutdown fight, and the debt limit fight. He can be reached at brian@talkingpointsmemo.com.
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