The U.S. House interrupts its scheduled six week vacation this week to approve a $26 billion package of aid for the states, focused on money for education and Medicaid.

"The House will return to session to vote to keep teachers on the job and provide assistance to states to ensure health services continue for those in need," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

The bill wasn't expected to get through the Senate last week until some tweaks enticed the two Maine Senators to break ranks with other Republicans and provide just enough votes to break a GOP filibuster.

"It will not only keep at least 160,000 teachers in the classroom this fall who would otherwise be laid off," said President Obama, "but it would help other states avoid painful layoffs."

Look for the Democrats to repeatedly emphasize that this week, while the Republicans will stick to their argument that this is nothing more than a $26 billion payoff to teachers and other government unions.

"The American people don't want more Washington 'stimulus' spending - especially in the form of a pay-off to union bosses and liberal special interests," said House GOP Leader John Boehner.

The plan is for the House to only vote on the state aid package, but there are calls for Democrats to consider a host of other items as well.

One is a bill that funnels $600 million to border security efforts to deal with illegal immigrants coming in from Mexico.

The measure was surprisingly approved by voice vote on Thursday night, as Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) at first threatened to block the bill, then allowed it to proceed to passage.

It would fund 1500 new border agents and more along the southwest border.

We'll see if that - or anything else - gets added to the schedule. 

As of now, Democrats seem inclined to keep things focused on the one bill, quickly vote that out, and head back home for another five weeks.