House Passes Jobs Bill

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed the “Jobs for Main Street Act of 2010” by a 217-212 vote. The act provides $154 billion for a number of programs. Most importantly, $23 billion will be available to states as part of an Education Jobs Fund over the next two years. 95% of the funds will be allocated by states to school districts and public institutions of higher education to retain or create jobs that provide educational services and to modernize, renovate, and repair public education facilities.

The bill provides $750 million in competitive grants to train workers for jobs in high-growth fields. The bill also provides $300 million for the College Work Study program. The summary of the bill can be found here.

The bill can be found here.

The Senate will not take up the Jobs bill legislation before their holiday recess. Additionally, it is unclear whether the Senate bill will be similar to the House’s bill.

ACCT continues to work on gathering co-sponsors for H.R. 4196, the Community College Emergency Stabilization Fund Act, sponsored by Reps. John Larson (D-CT) and Rubén Hinojosa (D-TX). Currently, the bill has 31 co-sponsors. Rep. Larson is still working to attach the bill as part of a larger legislative vehicle. Adding more co-sponsors will facilitate the process.

Meanwhile, Congress has passed its Omnibus Appropriations bill, which includes the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education appropriations bill. President Obama’s signed the bill into law yesterday. A summary can be viewed here.