WASHINGTON (AP) -- House members are returning to Washington from their summer recess to quickly pass a jobs bill that Democrats say is crucial to the nation's well-being.

The unusual in-and-out session was called because the Senate waited until last Thursday to pass its $26 billion jobs bill. The legislation is designed to prevent tens of thousands of teachers and an equal number of other state and local government workers from losing their jobs.

With the new school year just weeks away, election season fast approaching and the overall job picture still bleak, Democrats had no choice but to act quickly.

(Copyright ©2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)