House Approves $26B in Jobs Aid

The House today approved $26 billion in emergency funding intended to protect the jobs of teachers and other government employees across the country, the Washington Post reports. Nancy Pelosi called the House back from August recess for a 1-day session to approve the bill, which she thinks will save 300,000 jobs. The House approved the measure by a vote of 247 to 161, mostly along party lines. It now goes to the White House for President Obama's signature.

"This is another bailout," shouted Rep. Steve Buyer of Indiana, echoing the sentiment of many Republicans. "Let's not do this!" The measure brings to $1 trillion the amount of money the federal government has spent in stimulus funds since the recession began, but it's likely to be the last significant amount until the midterms are over.
(More unemployment stories.)