Slaughter Votes To Keep Jobs In America

August 10, 2010

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (NY-28) hailed vital legislation that will close corporate loopholes that protect companies that ship jobs overseas and will use those savings to preserve teaching jobs across the country and provide New York with critical funds to pay for Medicaid services.

“We cannot rebuild our national or local economy when we continue to reward corporations for carrying out operations overseas and taking our jobs with them,” said Slaughter. “These are loopholes that we’ve kept on the books for too long. Instead, let’s use that revenue to keep Western New Yorkers in their jobs.”

The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act, H.R. 1586, passed the Senate late last week forcing House approval. By closing these loopholes, it raises $9.8 billion, money that will be redirected to keep teachers in the classroom.

“It’s back to school season so the idea that now is the time we’d let teachers get laid off is absurd,” said Slaughter who returned with other members of Congress this week to vote on the state aid legislation. “We just saved the jobs of 460 teachers in my district and I consider that time well spent.”

In addition to saving teaching jobs, the legislation provides $16.1 billion in assistance to the states that, by reducing shortfalls and stimulating the economy, will save and create 158,000 jobs, including preventing the layoffs of police officers and firefighters, as well as creating private-sector jobs throughout our economy.

New York is set to benefit from a portion of the bill that would provide vital health assistance to states keeping Medicaid and children’s health care programs from going bankrupt. New York is set to receive approximately $2 billion in Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP) funding, money Governor Paterson has asked for repeatedly.

“It is unconscionable to think that we would let the health and welfare of our most vulnerable lapse as they take the brunt of state budget cutbacks,” said Slaughter. “I’m so pleased that we were able to shore up FMAP and New York’s ability to provide basic care for those most impacted by this recession.”

As Chairwoman of the Rules Committee, it was Slaughter who took charge of the legislation so it could come to the House floor. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act passed the House by a vote of 247 to 161. The legislation was sent to President Obama, who signed it into law the same day.

What’s in the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act for Western New York?

• It Keeps Jobs In America While Reducing the Deficit
  The bill is completely paid for. According to non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, the bill reduces the deficit by $1.4 billion over 10 years. The Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act includes costs of $26.1 billion and offsets of $27.5 billion – including $17.7 billion in spending cuts and $9.8 billion by closing tax loopholes that encourage corporations to ship American jobs overseas.
• It Keeps Teachers in the Classroom
  Weeks before Western New York students go back to school, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act saves 161,000 teachers from tragically timed layoffs. In New York, 8,200 K-12 teachers are spared, 460 of whom work in the 28th Congressional District according to the National Education Association.
• It Keeps Firefighters and Police Officers on the Streets
  By reducing state budget shortfalls, the Education Jobs and Medicaid Assistance Act will help keep public employees on the job, meaning first responders like police officers and firefighters.
• It Will Save New York Billions in Medicaid Funding
  According to the Center of Budget and Policy Priorities, New York will save $2.228 billion with the six month extension of the FMAP provisions.