The U.S. Senate cloture vote extends Medicaid funding and will provide additional education support for States still struggling to recover from the recession.

“Senators Snowe and Collins cast a critical vote for jobs, for health care and for education,” said Governor John Baldacci. “Their action today will have a profound impact on Maine as our State works to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression. It will mean better health care for our people and a stronger education system for our children.”

The aid is part of $26 billion to help states ease their severe budget problems and stop the layoffs of nearly 300,000 teachers, firefighters, police and other public employees.

The legislation advanced by a 61-38 tally, Maine’s Senators were critical to break a filibusterer, which would have stopped the measure from passing.

“I appreciate that the Senate is moving forward on this critical assistance and has found a way to offset its cost,” said U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud. “It will help save jobs and ensure continued access to health care for many Mainers.”

U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree said, “Passing this extension is not only going to save thousands of jobs across Maine, it also will help take the pressure off local taxpayers, who are already struggling in this tough economy. The legislation also closes an outrageous loophole that has been giving foreign corporations a huge tax break that they don’t deserve.”

The bill which will be voted on next Monday in Washington D.C. with a special session relieves the budget pressure on the state, which without the measure was facing a $100 million budget shortfall. But it does not solve all of the state’s budget problems caused by a stock market that has not performed as anticipated.

“We still have a gap of $23 million for the current fiscal year,” said Governor John Baldacci. “But this is substantially better than we would have had without this action.”

The legislation is projected to provide Maine increased Medicaid funding of approximately $77 million and to provide an additional $39 million to protect teaching jobs in Maine.

“I know that this has been a difficult issue in Washington as the Senate has worked to provide assistance to states while at the same time protecting the long-term sustainability of the federal budget. This legislation is balanced to protect jobs today, which is critical. But it is also paid for and won’t increase the federal deficit over the long run,” said Baldacci.