For Immediate Release
Bayh Contact:
Mark Kornblau (202/224-6807)
McCain Contact: Andrea Jones (202/224-2182)
Kennedy Contact: Stephanie Cutter (202/224-2633)
Washington, DC -- U.S. Senators John McCain (R-AZ), Evan Bayh (D-IN), and Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) want to harness the energy and spirit of the American people by significantly expanding opportunities for citizens to serve their country as community volunteers and in homeland defense.
The three Senators today introduced The Call to Service Act of 2003, which builds on the McCain/Bayh legislation first introduced in November of 2001. Two months after that bill was unveiled, President Bush made service programs a rhetorical centerpiece of his State of the Union Address. However, Congress has taken no action on legislation pertaining to service programs.
"We are eager to expand opportunities for Americans to serve their country," Bayh said. "But Congress and the Administration need to do more than pay lip service to the idea of national service. The administration's efforts to expand volunteer opportunities have been disappointingly lackluster. In fact, citizens now have fewer opportunities to serve than before."
"In the aftermath of 9/11, Americans stood ready to enlist in causes greater than their self interest," said McCain. "Congress should no longer delay in taking action on legislation to provide opportunities for Americans to serve."
"Now is the time to move from rhetoric to action. People across the country want to improve their communities and we need to provide a clear message from this Congress that we will continue to provide the support for national service," said Senator Kennedy, the Ranking Democrat on the Senate HELP Committee, which is due to take up reauthorization of national service programs this year. "These service programs have made an enormous difference in the lives of thousands of Americans. Most importantly, they have reignited a civic spirit in this country. We need to provide the resources and support to ensure that spirit carries on for future generations."
The Call to Service Act of 2003 expands opportunities for Americans to volunteer in a variety of ways. Currently, there are 50,000 AmeriCorps members, but due to inadequate funding that number is in danger of being cut in half. The bill calls for an increase in AmeriCorps slots by 25,000 new member per year -- with many of the new positions dedicated to homeland defense. The legislation links AmeriCorps to Homeland Defense by directing the Corporation for National Service to work with the Department of Homeland Security to determine ways of promoting national security through service programs.
The bill also expands eligibility for willing and able seniors to volunteer in a variety of capacities through the Senior Corps, including senior companion programs, tutoring, providing long-term care, and serving as foster grandparents.
A key component of the original Bayh/McCain proposal already became law last year. To meet the changing personnel needs of today's military, the Defense Department will now have a new, shorter-term enlistment option. Individuals who volunteer to serve under this new program serve on active duty for 15 months and can complete the remainder of their obligation by choosing service on active duty, in the Selected Reserve or in the Individual Ready Reserve (which can be fulfilled by in a civilian national service program such as the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps). In return for service, the legislation provides the choice of incentives including a $5,000 bonus, repayment of a student loan up to $18,000, an educational allowance under the Montgomery GI Bill.
Editor's Note: Bill Summary and AmeriCorps Membership graph below
To revamp national service programs and expand the opportunities for Americans to serve, Senators Evan Bayh (D-IN), John McCain (R-AZ), and Ted Kennedy (D-MA) have proposed legislation with the following components:
- Expands AmeriCorps to 175,000 members. The goal of the bill is to make national service available to every young person. Currently, 50,000 individuals serve in AmeriCorps. The legislation expands the number of AmeriCorps members to 175,000 over 5 years which will allow more communities to reap the benefits of service. The legislation is an important step toward the goal of 1 million Americans serving every 4 years.
- Links AmeriCorps to Homeland Defense. Directs the Corporation for National Service to work with the Office of Homeland Security to determine ways of promoting national security through national service programs. The bill amends the purpose section of the National and Community Service Act to include homeland security activities. Additionally, the legislation provides specifically for a program that engages participants in homeland security activities.
- Increases the Amount of the Education Award. AmeriCorps volunteers receive an education award of $4,725 to help finance college or pay back student loans. The legislation increases the award to $5,250.
Requires the Corporation for National Service to commission a yearly study by an independent third party to report on the outcomes and effectiveness of AmeriCorps programs. Requires the results of this study be reported to Congress. Requires AmeriCorps programs to show positive, outcome-based results for their work.
Preserves current law for VISTA.
The legislation contains a hold harmless for state formula funds so states can guarantee the future of service.
Learn and Serve America is a service-learning grant program. Service-learning combines service to the community in a way that improves both the student and the community.
- Increases the Authorization Level.
Since it was created, Learn and Serve America has been flat funded. This legislation increases the authorization to $100 million.
Creates a grant program to expand service learning programs to include partnerships operated with nonprofit organizations or educational agencies
Increases participation for all seniors by lowering the age of participation from 60 to 55 and opens the stipended programs to people at 200% of poverty.
