Obama Jobs and Recovery Plan Update

February 09, 2009

A special update from AFSCME Legislation Department director Chuck Loveless on the Obama “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan” legislation. Today the Senate will likely hold a critical vote on the economic recovery plan. Because of obstacles by the Republican leadership, who want to kill the bill altogether, we need to win 60 votes for the bill today and again tomorrow when there will be a vote on final passage. With 600,000 workers losing their jobs last month, the time to pass a recovery bill is now. While the Senate bill includes significant aid to state and local governments, it has less aid than the House bill. In particular, education funding is reduced substantially in the Senate bill. However, once the Senate passes its bill, compromises between the House and Senate versions will be negotiated. AFSCME will be fighting to improve funding so that we end up with a bill that protects education and other vital public services and creates the most jobs. Thousands of AFSCME members are making a difference. I have personally heard from senators and representatives in Congress that our calls and letters are working. We need to keep the pressure up to make sure that we have an economic recovery bill that works for working people. We have set up a special system so all you need to do is click on this link and enter your cell phone number to make your call. Tell them to vote YES for President Obama’s “American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan.”