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| Official Statement from
Voices for National Service on H.R. 5563
Voices for National Service is extremely disappointed that H.R. 5563, the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education Act failed to receive the required two-thirds majority vote needed for final passage.
The national service programs have not been reauthorized in 15 years and the GIVE Act addressed this oversight. The bill would have helped to strengthen and expand the federally supported service initiatives, stimulate community volunteerism, and increase accountability and efficiency within the administration of the national service programs.
The GIVE Act was crafted in an open, bipartisan manner and had broad support from the White House, community and faith-based partners, and the national service community. Last week, the U.S. House spent several hours debating the GIVE Act and the tenor of the debate was extremely positive. Members of both parties spoke eloquently and personally about the benefits of national service, and there was virtually no opposition to the programs.
Voices for National Service was dismayed by today's vote and we are frustrated that national service reauthorization will not happen this year. While the bill's defeat is a disappointment, we are grateful for the 277 members - a substantial bipartisan majority - who voted in support of national service.
Voices for National Service would like to thank Chairman George Miller, Representative Carolyn McCarthy, Representative Todd Platts and the leadership of the National Service Congressional Caucus for their commitment to reauthorizing the national service programs.
Each year, over 3.9 million Americans of all ages and backgrounds serve their communities through the core national service programs - AmeriCorps, Senior Corps, VISTA, NCCC and Learn and Serve America. Together, members and volunteers contribute over 228 million hours of service in communities around the country. We are disappointed that the service of millions of Americans did not receive the full support of the U.S. House of Representatives.
- Click here to see how Members of Congress voted on H.R. 5563.
- Click here to read an article from Congressional Quarterly about H.R. 5563.
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2009 Appropriations for
National Service Programs
On February 4, 2008, President Bush sent to Congress his Fiscal Year 2009 budget request which recommends $829.7 million for the Corporation for National and Community Service and its three core programs - AmeriCorps, Senior Corps and Learn & Serve America. This request is $26.6 million less than the agency received in FY08, continuing a five year decline in national service funding.
The President's budget proposes cuts to several service initiatives, the most significant being a 40% cut to the Foster Grandparent Program - a program that connects 19,000 volunteers age 60 and over with children and young people with exceptional needs. For more information about the President’s proposal and the appropriations request of Voices for National Service click here.
The President’s budget submission is just the first step in a lengthy appropriations process. Voices for National Service will remain engaged, reaching out to the Administration and the Congress and urging a robust federal investment in national service programs.
This latest development does underscore how important it is for us to educate our nation's leaders about the indispensable value of national service as they head into a very difficult appropriations process. The pressure to produce more with less funding will be felt by nearly every federal program and agency in the coming year. We urge you to invite your elected officials to visit your program this year. For tips on how to schedule a visit, please click here. |
Presidential Candidates Memo
Strengthen America through Service
On June 22, 2007, Voices for National Service sent each declared and exploring candidate for President a detailed memorandum with recommendations for growing national service in America. Voices for National Service strongly believes the time has come for universal voluntary, national service that challenges every American, no matter how young or old, to strengthen America through service.
Signed by 150 leaders of the national service field, the memorandum includes recommendations to expand AmeriCorps, AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), Learn and Serve America, and the National Senior Volunteer Corps. These programs have a track record of engaging Americans of all ages in meeting critical needs across the nation.
- Click here to read the executive summary and view the list of supporting signatures.
- Click here to read the detailed recommendations in the memo to Presidential Candidates.
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