Poll: 60 percent back state aid

A poll released Wednesday shows that 60 percent of Americans back the $26 billion state aid bill for which the House reconvened to pass this week. 

Sixty percent favor its passage compared to 38 percent who oppose it, according to the CNN/Opinion Research survey.

Democrats in Congress argued its passage was essential to saving the jobs of teachers, police officers and firefighters whose jobs were in danger because of deep deficits in state budgets.

The legislation contained a $10 billion education jobs fund and $16 billion to cover Medicaid funding gaps and overall budget deficits, the House returned from recess this week to pass it so that states could attempt to bolster funding for teachers before the school year begins. 

President Obama signed it into law Tuesday evening.

Republicans have called it a giveaway to unions and special interests that could increase the nation's budget deficit.

Doug Thornell, a spokesman for Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), claimed that support for the aid could be even higher had the survey mentioned it was funded.

"The question doesn’t mention that the bill is fully paid for and support is still at 60 percent," he said. 

The bill was paid for using cuts to food stamps and tax hikes on businesses that ship jobs overseas.

Independents support the legislation — 57 percent said they back it opposed to 40 percent who are against it.

Seventy-eight percent of Democrats support it and 57 percent of Republicans oppose it.

The poll surveyed 1,009 adults, including 935 registered voters, between Aug. 6-10.