FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Ranit Schmelzer, ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com
Proposed Budget Cuts to AmeriCorps Would Devastate Thousands of Non-Profit, Community, and Faith-based Organizations
House marks up LHHS Appropriations Bill today
Washington, DC (July 14, 2023) – The fiscal year 2024 Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education (LHHS) Bill, which the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations plans to mark-up today, includes devastating cuts to AmeriCorps. The House has recommended reducing AmeriCorps funding by 50 percent, to $660.9 million, the lowest level of funding in 26 years.
Following is a statement by AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service.
“The House Appropriations Committee has proposed devastating cuts to AmeriCorps and the social sector that could eliminate tens of thousands of AmeriCorps members. These members are imbedded in our communities, responding to the country’s most immediate and critical needs – from natural disaster response to providing services for veterans – and supporting local nonprofit, faith-based, tribal, and community organizations.
“If enacted, the move could devastate the work of thousands of community and faith-based organizations like the American Red Cross, Boys and Girls Clubs, City Year, and Habitat for Humanity, which receive AmeriCorps funds to engage Americans in addressing community-identified challenges. Unlike most federal grant programs, every AmeriCorps dollar is matched by local funds, and this public-private partnership yields more than $17 in benefits to our country for every $1 invested by Congress.
“The bill also eliminates funding for the National Service Trust, which undermines the fundamental commitment that if you serve in AmeriCorps, you will earn money to pay for college or pay back student loans, severely limiting AmeriCorps’ recruitment efforts and disrupting services on the ground.
“We will do everything in our power to make sure these cuts are not ultimately enacted – and we’re deeply grateful to the legislative champions from both parties, including Representatives Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Tom Cole (R-OK), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Garret Graves (R-LA) and Senators Patty Murray (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Chris Coons (D-DE), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS), who have advocated for expanding AmeriCorps so that all Americans have the opportunity to make a positive impact in their local community.”
###
Voices for National Service, which turns 20 this year, advocates for programs that respond to the country’s most immediate and pressing challenges and elevates AmeriCorps as a powerful strategy for tackling unmet needs. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our national’s leaders for AmeriCorps, the public-private partnership that yields more than $17 in benefits to our country for every $1 invested by Congress and enables the 200,000 members of AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps Seniors to support local nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations on the front lines of our communities – an effort that unites our country and deepens civic character.