All but two dozen members of the House returned to Washington for one day of votes on Tuesday, as lawmakers approved a $26 billion plan from Democrats that speeds aid to cash strapped states.

While members had broken off vacation and/or work plans to be on Capitol Hill, they clearly hadn't lost any of their edge, as the floor debate was punctuated by a series of sharp election year jabs by both parties.

"This is a bailout!" railed Rep. Steve Buyer (R-IN), trying to use passage of the bill as a wakeup call for the November elections.

"Folks, we cannot continue to do this," Buyer pleaded.

"I don't know if this is Stimulus Bill part 3, or Bailout Bill part 4," chided Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX).

On the Democratic side, there was confidence that this bill would help - and not hurt - Democrats at the polls in November.

"This is a vote for jobs," said Rep. Henry Waxman (D-CA).  "This will provide critical to help to states and local governments."

The plan would send $10 billion to states for the purpose of keeping teachers employed, and $16 billion to deal with increased costs of Medicaid.

While it was paid for with a mix of tax increases on multinational corporations and budget offsets, Republicans had nothing good to say about it.

"Washington, D.C. at its absolute worst," was how Rep. David Dreier (R-CA) summed things up at the start of the debate.

As for who did not return to Washington for the votes, most of the missing - 18 of 24 lawmakers - were from the Republican side of the aisle.

Florida had the most MIA lawmakers, as five did not return, including Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), who is running for U.S. Senate.

Other Sunshine State missing included four Republicans: Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (not running for re-election), Rep. Vern Buchanan, Rep. Tom Rooney and Rep. C.W. "Bill" Young (he recently had back surgery).

Four lawmakers from California went missing, Lungren, Gary Miller, Radanovich and Speier.  There were three from Georgia who didn't make the trip, even with their good airplane connections, as Rep. Phil Gingrey, Rep. Paul Broun and Rep. John Linder were absent.

Linder is not running for re-election.

The six Democrats who didn't make it back included lame duck Rep. Marion Berry (D-AR), Rep. Diane DeGette (D-CO), Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-FL), Rep. Vic Snyder (D-AR), Rep. Jackie Speier (D-CA) and Rep. John Tanner (D-TN).  Tanner is another one not running in 2010.

Only a few lawmakers broke with their party.  Rep. Cao (R-LA) and Rep. Castle (R-DE) voted 'Yes', while three conservative Blue Dogs voted 'No': Rep. Bright (D-AL), Rep. Cooper (D-TN) and Rep. Taylor (D-MS).

And as soon as the last vote was tallied, the House adjourned until September 13.