Senate Appropriations Committee Approves Funding for National Service

For Immediate Release

Contact: Ranit Schmelzer
202-538-1065
ranit@schmelzerstrategies.com

Statement from AnnMaura Connolly on Senate Appropriations Committee Approval of Funding for National Service

$1.02 Billion for the Corporation for National and Community Service Would Enable Work of Thousands of Nonprofit Faith and Community Based Organizations to Continue

Washington, DC (September 7, 2017) – The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies today approved $1.02 billion for fiscal year 2018 to fund the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that administers national service programs including AmeriCorps and Senior Corps.

Below is a statement from AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service.

“Today the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up a spending bill that level funds AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. The bill also contains an increase for national days of service and a decrease in funding for the National Service Trust.  We are deeply grateful to Senators Blunt and Murray and their colleagues on the Appropriations Committee for their support of national service and for setting spending levels that would enable the essential work of thousands of nonprofit, faith-based and community organizations, including the American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, and Teach for America. We are concerned about the reduction in the National Service Trust when so many Americans are struggling with the soaring cost of college, and will continue to monitor the impact of that cut on the national service community.

“At a time when AmeriCorps and Senior Corps are more essential than ever – as is evident in the Hurricane Harvey relief and recovery efforts – it is imperative that funding for AmeriCorps and Senior Corps is not just maintained, but expanded.”

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Voices for National Service is a diverse coalition of national service programs, state service commissions and individual champions, who work to ensure Americans of all ages and backgrounds have the opportunity to serve and volunteer in their community. Founded in 2003, Voices for National Service has built strong bipartisan support among our nation’s leaders and helped to elevate national service as a powerful strategy for tackling unmet needs, preparing young people for work, uniting our country and developing civic character.

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