EMILY's List
There for us when we need them
By Hilary Nachem on 08/11/2010 @ 07:41 PM
This week, members of the House returned to Washington for a special session to cast key votes ensuring critical funding for their home states. Democrats stood up for the heroes of our communities: teachers, firefighters, police officers, and many more civil servants.
In case you missed it, here's a round-up of what some of the great pro-choice Democratic women in the House had to say this week about the Education, Jobs, and Medicaid Assistance Act:
Cong. Debbie Halvorson (IL-11)
This bill will help us save Illinois jobs, keep class sizes down, keep people off the unemployment rolls, and will reduce our deficit by stopping the incentives that lead companies to ship jobs overseas...Investment needs to come home here to America, and this bill will help us stop the incentives that lead to jobs going to foreign countries instead of right here at home.
As our economy continues to recover, state governments are still facing massive budget shortfalls, putting thousands of jobs at risk. These investments in the education of our children and the safety of our neighborhoods are both necessary and responsible. This fiscally responsible legislation will provide the immediate assistance Florida needs to prevent teacher and first responder layoffs and ensure the continuation of critical public services.
Late last night I returned from a whirlwind 10-hour trip to Washington where I was proud to cast my vote in favor of legislation that will keep 1,400 teachers on the job and prevent cuts to vital services. With Nevada facing significant budget shortfalls, these funds, which are only for teachers and Medicaid, are critical to getting our economy moving. Republicans call this bill a “payoff” to “special interests”. Well, the “special interests” they’re talking about are the educators, students, and seniors in southern Nevada whom I am proud to represent.
Yesterday, I was proud to stand in the Oval Office and watch as President Obama signed a bill that will save the jobs of 700 teachers across our state and hundreds of thousands of police officers, fire fighters and other workers across the country...During the debate of this bill in Washington, I was often reminded of my time on the school board in my hometown of North Haven. Local school districts are constantly facing growing needs and tight budgets, but especially in this tough economy it can be immensely difficult to both balance a budget and provide opportunity for our children.
And, we know that our great advocates in the Senate - like Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) , Barbara Boxer (CA), and Patty Murray (WA) - were also critical in pushing this measure forward. Sen. Murray delivered for her home state in securing an amendment that will stave off cuts in Medicaid benefits and educators' jobs. When fighting against Republican obstructionism to secure passage of her amendment on the Senate floor, Patty said; "The bottom line is that without this amendment, much of the progress states have made to get back on the right economic track will be endangered."
We're proud to see our women answering the call of duty when their constituents need them most.
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