Washington—Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) released the following statement after Senate Republicans blocked consideration of the Teachers and First Responders Back to Work Act. The $35 billion bill supported more than 400,000 educator and first responder jobs nationwide and directed more than $3.6 billion to California.

“This is the second jobs initiative blocked by Senate Republicans. The plan before the Senate today would have provided a $3.6 billion infusion into California’s economy to prevent the layoff or hire more than 37,000 educators and more than 2,500 police officers and firefighters.

“The plan was paid for by a half-percent tax on millionaires and billionaires—those people who have benefited from this economy—but instead, tens of thousands of teachers and emergency personnel will face layoffs.

“We have an unemployment crisis in this country that is being compounded by politics. When Congress can’t come together to protect teachers, students, police officers and firefighters, it becomes very clear that the debate is about politics, not people.

“I continue to hope Senate Republicans will set aside the politics and work with Democrats to put America back to work.”

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