MAURICE HINCHEY FOR CONGRESS

The bill unexpectedly passed by a narrow margin last Wednesday in the U.S. Senate. Approval is expected in the House, and President Barack Obama, who supports the measure, is expected to sign it this week, Hinchey said.

Hinchey said the bill doesn't go far enough to help schools get through a recession but called it a positive step forward.

He had voted for a $23 billion boost for education that passed the House earlier this year but was scaled back in the Senate.