THOMAS

The Library of Congress Website

Click here, to visit THOMAS, the Library of Congress website that provides up to date legislative information. You can search for legislation by bill number, Member of Congress, or keywords. Keyword example: "national service"
 

National Service Reauthorization

Updated May 2008

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.

H.R. 5563, The GIVE Act

	Rep. George Miller (D-CA) cites Voices for National Service on the House floor when introducing H.R. 5563, The GIVE Act.  Search “GIVE Act” on YouTube for more CSPAN coverage of the floor debate.

On March 12, 2008, H.R. 5563, legislation to reauthorize the national service programs was defeated by a recorded vote of 277 - 140. Because the GIVE Act was considered under suspension, the legislation needed two-thirds of those present to vote in the affirmative for the bill to pass. The GIVE Act was one vote shy of meeting the required margin.

• Click here to read H.R. 5563

Titled the Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education Act, the bill aims to expand opportunities for Americans to serve. Among other specific proposals, the GIVE Act seeks to:

• Increase the number of AmeriCorps members serving annually to 100,000.
• Gradually raise the Eli Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to $5,225 by 2012.
• Support an AmeriCorps Alumni Reserve network with a focus on assisting during emergencies or natural disasters.
• Create a Summer of Service program for grades 5-12 to give young people the opportunity to spend a summer in service to their community.
• Develop demonstration programs to engage Veterans and Baby Boomers in service.

Voices for National Service is pleased that the 110th Congress has made reauthorization of the National and Community Service Act a legislative priority. Our coalition has been working with Congress on the content of the bill to make certain that the legislation improves upon the current, effective service programs and provides their benefits to more participants and more communities.

Click below to read letters and memorandums from Voices for National Service and others interested in seeing national service programs enhanced and expanded through reauthorization.

• Click here to read a letter supporting reauthorization from seven Governors (10/20/07).
• Click here to read a Voices for National Service letter asking Congress to make reauthorization a legislative priority during the 110th Congress (01/29/07).
• Click here to read Voices for National Service’s specific proposals for reauthorization provided to the House Education and Workforce Committee as they first began the process to develop a reauthorization bill (04/02/07).
• Click here to read Voices for National Service’s comments on the GIVE Act after introduction, including changes the coalition requested the Committee make before advancing the legislation further (07/18/07).
• Click here to read a joint recommendation from Voices for National Service and the Association of State Service Commissions to improve the AmeriCorps funding allocations and ensure more efficient utilization of appropriated funds.

Segal AmeriCorps Education Award
Tax Relief Act

Updated July 2008

On June 26, Representatives John Lewis (D-GA) and Jon Porter (R-NV) introduced H.R. 6407, the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award Tax Relief Act, legislation to make the AmeriCorps education award tax-free. The bill would modify the current tax code to exclude the education award from an individual’s gross income, thereby retaining the full value of their education award.

The AmeriCorps Education Award is $4,725 for a year of full-time service and is prorated for part-time service. Some AmeriCorps members lose close to $1,000 of the award value after taxes. The award has not been increased since the program was created in 1993, and during this time, the cost of education has skyrocketed. The bill was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

• Click here for a summary of H.R. 6407 at Thomas.gov.

AmeriCorps: Together Improving
Our Nation (ACTION) Act

Updated June 2008

On May 20, Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) introduced S.3037, legislation that seeks to improve the educational awards provided for national service and to recognize the importance of service to our country.  The bill would:

• Raise the education award to $6,185,  the average annual cost of tuition and fees for an instate student at a four year public university;
• Make the education award tax exempt;
• Restore the Corporation's previous authority to partner with other Federal agencies to use national service as a strategy to carry out Departments' priorities; and,  
• Promote the Corporation for National and Community Service to Cabinet level status.

The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

• Click here for a summary of S.3037 at Thomas.gov.

Coaching Our Adolescents for
College Heights (COACH) Act

Updated June 2008

On May 15, 2008 Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced S.3027, legislation to create a new AmeriCorps program that would recruit, train and place recent college graduates in high-schools to promote college enrollment among low- and middle-income students.  The coaches would work with school staff to build a strong college-going culture within a school, assist with the college application and financial aid processes, provide enrichment and service opportunities, and monitor academic performance and social adjustment during students’ first years at college. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

• Click here for a summary of S.3027 at Thomas.gov.

Senior Year Community Service Act

Updated June 2008

On May 15, 2008 Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY) introduced S.3028, legislation to promote service among high school seniors.  Among other measures the legislation partners the Department of Education and Corporation for National and Community Service to provide a service coordinator at participating high schools and to evaluate the impact of service on student achievement. The bill was referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

• Click here for a summary of S.3028 at Thomas.gov.

Resolutions Celebrate
Service & Volunteerism

Updated May 2008

On May 14, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.Res. 1173, a resolution to designate May 11-18th AmeriCorps Week and to acknowledge the significant accomplishments of the 542,000 AmeriCorps members and alumni who have served our nation since 1994.  The bipartisan resolution was introduced by Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Co-Chair of the National Service Congressional Caucus, and was strongly supported by 40 cosponsors.  The resolution passed with a recorded vote of 344-69.

Since 1994 more than 542,000 AmeriCorps members have helped recruit, train, and supervise community volunteers, tutor and mentor youth, build affordable housing, teach computer skills, clean parks and streams, run after-school programs, respond to disasters, and build the capacity of faith-based and community organizations. Together with the other federal initiatives Senior Corps and Learn and Serve America, AmeriCorps is meeting critical needs in communities and promoting civic participation for a healthy democracy.

• Click here to read the full remarks from Members of the House expressing strong appreciation for AmeriCorps and thanking participants for their service.

On April 30, 2008 the House of Representatives passed H.Res.1119, legislation designating April 27-May 3 National Volunteer Week.  The resolution was sponsored by Rep. Todd Platts (R-PA), Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT), Rep. Doris Matsui (D-CA), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Howard McKeon (R-CA), and Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-GU).  National Volunteer Week, which began in 1974, will be observed during the week of April 27.  About 61 million Americans volunteered between September 2006 and September 2007, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.  The resolution acknowledges the diligent efforts of federally funded community service and volunteer programs; and recognizes the contributions of the millions of dedicated and caring individuals who have chosen to serve others through volunteerism.

• Click here to read H.Res.1119.

• Click here to read remarks from Members of Congress during the floor debate.

On April 23, 2008 resolution S.Res.528, proclaiming April 25 Global Youth Service Day in the United States and honoring youth volunteerism, service and service-learning, passed with unanimous consent.  Senator Lisa Murkowsi (R-AK) introduced the measure, joined by 38 co-sponsors.  Millions of youth are expected to serve in more than 100 countries during the 20th annual Global Youth Service Day, a public awareness and education campaign that highlights the valuable contributions that young people make to their communities through service.

• Click here to read S.Res.528 and see who co-sponsored the resolution.

Federal Employee
Community Service Incentive

Updated May 2008

On April, 29, 2008 Rep. James Moran (D-VA) introduced H.R.5922, legislation to amend title 5, United States Code, to provide that a Federal employee may use up to 2 days of sick leave a year in the performance of community service.  The bill was referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

• Click here for a summary of H.R. 5922 at Thomas.gov.

Public Service Academy Act

Updated May 2008

On March 22, 2007, Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) introduced a bill to create the U.S. Public Service Academy. Companion House legislation was introduced by Rep. Jim Moran (D-VA) and Rep. Christopher Shays (R-CT). The Act would create a civilian public service academy similar to the Naval Academy or West Point.

The proposed 5,000-person undergraduate academy would be free to students in return for a five year commitment to work in government, in public schools, or in nonprofit or military organizations. The academy would train all students in emergency response to national disasters.

• Click here, to read the Senate bill S. 960

• Click here, to read the House bill H.R. 1671

With support of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, SocialSphere Strategies of Cambridge, Massachusetts, conducted a poll of 800 members of the "Millennial Generation" -- college-bound high school students, college students, and college graduates -- to assess their attitudes toward public service and their opinions about the Public Service Academy.

• Click here for a summary of the poll results (2.5MB).

Summer of Service Act of 2007

Updated May 2007

On April 17, Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced H.R. 1880, the Summer of Service Act, along with fifteen co-sponsors. The Summer of Service Act would direct the Corporation for National and Community Service to administer a competitive grant program enabling States and localities to offer students making the transition from middle to high school an opportunity to participate in a structured community service program over the summer months.

• Click here, to read House bill H.R. 1880

Congressional Commission
on Civic Service Act

Updated May 2007

On March 29, 2007, Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) introduced H.R. 1819, the Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act, co-sponsored with Representatives Christopher Shays (R-CT), Sam Farr (D-CA), Jim Walsh (R-NY), Patrick Kennedy (D-RI), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD).  The Congressional Commission on Civic Service Act seeks to establish a commission of experts to study methods of improving and promoting volunteerism and national service.  The commission would look at both domestic and international service opportunities.  H.R. 1819 was to referred to the House Education and Labor Committee.

• Click here, to read House bill H.R. 1819

T-FELAS Act

Updated May 2007

On March 6, 2007, Senator Edward Kennedy introduced bill S.778 to support Expanded Learning and After-School Fellows. The bill, which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, would recruit 20,000 recent college graduates to serve through AmeriCorps and to offer extended learning activities that will help close the achievement gap.

• Click here, to read S. 778.

• Click here, to read remarks by Senator Kennedy about the ideas which inform the legislation.