Education Jobs Bill

NEA Alert:

Thanks to you, the Senate cleared a key hurdle to save 138,000 education jobs. Read more at educationvotes.nea.org and keep up the fight!

This morning, the U.S. Senate voted to move forward on a bill that would save 138,000 educators' jobs jeopardized by state budget cuts. By a vote of 61-38, senators voted for cloture, which allows debate on legislation containing $10 billion for education jobs funding to proceed.

"The educators, students and parents who have fought hard for crucial funding are now one step closer," NEA President Dennis Van Roekel said. "This bill is fully offset, and will actually reduce the budget deficit over the next ten years. It's a no-brainer."

According to a National Education Association analysis, the fund will preserve the jobs of approximately 138,000 educators. Both the education jobs funding and the FMAP extension are fully offset, The Congressional Budget Office confirmed yesterday that H.R. 1586 will actually reduce the budget deficit by $1.4 billion over the next decade.

NEA and a coalition of more than 180 education and community groups continue to push for a real, unobstructed vote on the education jobs fund in the Senate. The White House, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), and Reid have all expressed their desire to pass this critically needed legislation before Congress leaves for recess.

Email your Senators and urge them to vote yes on final passage of the education jobs bill.