House Suspends Recess, Returns To Washington For Jobs Vote

The House of Representatives is returning from their August recess this week to take up a bill aimed at preventing teacher and other government employee lay-offs.

The decision to suspend the recess was spurred by the Senate’s passage of sister legislation last Thursday through a close 61-39 vote. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has cast the move to return to D.C. as an urgent step to maintain vital services and prevent a “double-dip” recession.

House Republicans are displeased by the impromptu session. In a statement released last week, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) accused Democrats of taking up the $26 billion bill in an effort to appease interest groups.

“The American people don’t want more Washington ‘stimulus’ spending – especially in the form of a pay-off to union bosses and liberal special interests,” Boehner said. “Democrats should be listening to their constituents … instead of scampering back to Washington.”

Democratic leadership claims the bill will ultimately create and save 290,000 local government jobs.

The House will formally come into session Monday, but a vote on the legislation is expected for Tuesday.