Senate Passes $26 Billion State Aid Package
Aug 6, 2010
On Thursday, July 29, 2010, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) introduced a bill that would provide state governments with $26 billion in assistance, primarily to provide Medicaid and educational assistance funds to prevent further health and education layoffs. The bill, H.R. 1586, Education and Medicaid Funding For States, passed the Senate by a 61-39 vote on Thursday, August 5, 2010. The bill will provide states with a total of $16.1 billion to help pay Medicaid bills next year, and $10 billion for teacher hiring and other education assistance.
While the House has already adjourned for August recess, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) is bringing the House back into session next week. She plans to bring the aid package to the floor for a vote on Tuesday, August 10 and, if passed, it will go to President Obama for signature by the end of next week.