WASHINGTON D.C. - In a measure that will provide crucial aid to states and prevent massive job cuts, Congressman André Carson today voted for legislation that will save and create 319,000 jobs across the country, including 161,000 public school teaching positions.

The House reconvened this week to take up this emergency aid package after the legislation, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, passed the Senate on August 5. The aid package includes $10 billion to fill gaps in state education funding and, according to the U.S. Department of Education, Indiana's portion will save an estimated 3,600 Hoosier teaching jobs.

"This legislation does more than provide our states money they desperately need," said Congressman Carson. "With this critical funding, we're putting our children first by keeping Hoosier educators where they are needed most - in the classroom. This is especially important in the 7th District where an estimated 640 teachers will be funded because of the action we took today."

Also provided in the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act is $16.1 billion in health assistance to the states. Earlier this year, 42 governors wrote to Congress seeking the Medicaid assistance - including Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels. According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Indiana will now see Medicaid savings of $227 million because of the legislation.

Along with teachers, thousands of police officers, firefighters and nurses will also stay on duty because of the funding the bill provides. The bill is completely paid for and actually reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over the next decade in part by closing a loophole that encourages corporations to ship American jobs overseas.

"While our economy continues to recover, many local communities are still being forced to cut important public services," said Carson. "They shouldn't have to make the choice between keeping teachers or keeping police officers - especially since our communities are struggling to deal with social challenges already exacerbated by nearly two-and-a-half years of economic recession."

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