Democrats add teacher money to war spending bill
C. Johnson 
Last updated 6 hrs ago
Last updated 6 hrs ago
WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Democrats who are trying to pass a long-stalled war funding bill are sweetening it with $10 billion to help local school districts avoid teacher layoffs when schools reopen.
The approximately $70 billion measure is anchored by President Obama's $30 billion request for the troop surge in Afghanistan and contains money for disaster aid accounts, foreign aid and disability benefits for Vietnam veterans exposed to Agent Orange.
The bill's release was the surest signal yet that House leaders are committed to passing it this week,