On September 18th, the Senate Appropriations Committee released their FY20 Labor-HHS-Education bill and report. The Senate bill includes a total of $178.3 billion in discretionary spending, a one percent increase over the FY19 enacted level and $36.2 billion over the President’s request. The Senate recommends $1.08 billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), essentially the same level of funding the agency received in FY19.
In June, the House approved a Labor-HHS-Education funding bill that includes $189.9 billion in discretionary funding, an increase of $11.7 billion above FY19 enacted levels and $47.8 billion over the President’s FY20 request. The House bill included $1.14 billion for CNCS, $55 million above last year’s levels.
Corporation for National and Community Service Budget
| Program ($ in millions) |
FY19 Enacted |
House FY20 |
Senate FY20 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AmeriCorps State and National |
425M |
450M |
425M |
| AmeriCorps NCCC |
32M |
33M |
32M |
| AmeriCorps VISTA |
92.4M |
95M |
92.4M |
| National Service Trust (Segal AmeriCorps Education Awards) |
206.8M |
218.6M |
206.8M |
| Retired Senior Volunteer Program |
50.4M |
51.8M |
50.4M |
| Foster Grandparent Program |
110.9M |
118.7M |
110.9M |
| Senior Companion Program |
46.9M |
50.8M |
46.9M |
| State Commission Admin Grants |
17.5M |
17.5M |
17.5M |
| National Days of Service |
2.2M |
2.2M |
3.2M |
| Total CNCS |
1.083 billion |
1.138 billion |
1.084 billion |
While the Senate bill rejects the White House’s recommendation to shutdown CNCS in FY20, the bill essentially flat funds the national service agency. The only proposed increase in the Senate’s FY20 bill is $1 million for the 9/11 Day of Service.
Congressional leaders will have to negotiate the differences between the House and Senate bills and agree to funding levels for every program. Voices for National Service will be working to ensure that the final spending bills include robust funding for the CNCS programs.