Ways & Mean Chairman Levin says $26B jobs bill sought by most governors, not a gift to unions
By Jim Abrams, APTuesday, August 10, 2010
Levin: Democratic jobs bill push not union payback
WASHINGTON — A leading Democrat says it’s wrong to argue that a $26 billion measure before the House mostly amounts to a gift to public employee unions.
Michigan Democrat Sander Levin tells C-SPAN the bill before lawmakers called back to Washington Tuesday was sought by 45 governors, Republicans as well as Democrats, who asked Congress for help to avert massive layoffs in the already suffering economy.
Levin said “we’re talking about several hundred thousand” jobs at stake. He said “the notion that this is just unions, no. I think this is pressure from the public who want their teachers teaching.”
Republicans charge the bill is a payback to public employee unions that supported Barack Obama and in his presidential campaign.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A leading Democrat says it’s wrong to argue that a $26 billion measure before the House mostly amounts to a gift to public employee unions.
Michigan Democrat Sander Levin tells C-Span the bill before lawmakers called back to Washington Tuesday was sought by 45 governors, Republicans as well as Democrats, who asked Congress for help to avert massive layoffs in the already suffering economy.
Levin said “we’re talking about several hundred thousand” jobs at stake. He said “the notion that this is just unions, no. I think this is pressure from the public who want their teachers teaching.”
Republicans charge the bill is a payback to public employee unions that supported Barack Obama and in his presidential campaign.
(This version CORRECTS APNewsNow. Replaces 2nd paragraph to correct style for C-SPAN. This story is part of AP’s general news and financial services.)
Tags: Barack Obama, Civil Service, North America, United States, Washington
