MATSUI, PRICE, COLE, WALTZ INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN CORPS ACT TO EXPAND NATIONAL SERVICE
WASHINGTON, DC Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) andRepresentatives David Price (D-NC), Tom Cole (R-OK), and Mike Waltz (R-FL) introduced the Cultivating Opportunity and Recovery from the Pandemic through Service (CORPS) Act a bipartisan and bicameral bill expanding national service positions to provide Americans with meaningful opportunities while supporting the needs of local communities and economies.
The CORPS Act would increase the number of AmeriCorps positions available to assist with the expansive needs of our country as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic- students require extra tutoring to recover from learning loss; food banks must meet heightened demand; community organizations need to offer outreach services to those experiencing homelessness; and millions of newly unemployed individuals seek workforce opportunities or a pathway to higher education. To encourage participation from Americans of all backgrounds, this legislation would increase AmeriCorps living stipends and education awards.
"Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, AmeriCorps members have stepped up to serve their communities bridging divides and symbolizing a helping hand in a time of great need," said Congresswoman Matsui. "As we build back our economy and continue to face the ongoing challenges of recovery, it is crucial that we continue to make bold investments in our national service programs and stand with these dedicated Americans to ensure they get the resources they deserve. I am proud to join my National Service Caucus Co-Chair Rep. Price and this bipartisan group of colleagues to introduce the CORPS Act reminding us all of our nation's resiliency when we stand together."
"As we begin to pivot from COVID-19 pandemic relief efforts to recovery, AmeriCorps members will continue to play a vital role in providing services that meet the local challenges our communities face," said Rep. Price. "As Co-Chair of the Congressional National Service Caucus, I'm proud to join with my bipartisan colleagues to introduce the CORPS Act. This bill will expand national service programs during this critical recovery period so we can build back stronger than ever."
"As our country continues to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, I am proud to join in the introduction of the CORPS Act, which would increase the number of positions available in AmeriCorps and widen the reach of members serving communities across the nation," said Rep. Cole. "If enacted, this legislation would also increase support for living expenses in order to help ease the financial burden of their selfless service."
"In the Army, we were taught to understand what It means to unite around a common purpose for our country, regardless of background," said Rep. Waltz. "As many of our neighbors across the country continue to struggle due to the pandemic, the CORPS Act will provide much-needed service opportunities for Americans to work together to help their communities while instilling the values of teamwork and discipline our country needs more of."
"Since the earliest days of the pandemic, the strong and nimble network of AmeriCorps programs acted quickly and creatively to address gaps in service to students, seniors, and veterans. Their work was vital, and we need much more of it," said AnnMaura Connolly,President of Voices for National Service. "In addition to expanding AmeriCorps and strengthening AmeriCorps Seniors to help communities respond to and recover from COVID-19, the CORPS Act will give young people experience, skills, a living stipend and post-service education scholarship to help pay for college. The Voices for National Service community is deeply grateful to Representatives Price, Matsui, Cole, and Waltz and their colleagues for their leadership and bold vision for the vital role that national service can play in helping our communities at this critical moment in our nation's history."
"National service corps members have been on the ground for over a year supporting the country's response to the COVID-19 pandemic by fighting food insecurity, supporting public health efforts, and tutoring and mentoring students during virtual and hybrid learning. The bipartisan CORPS Act will grow national service's role in our nation's recovery by not only supporting these existing programs and expanding their impact but by allowing for the creation of new programs as well. By increasing the living allowance, prioritizing investments in marginalized communities, and engaging young people from diverse populations, this bill will open the door for many more young people to participate in this transformational experience and many more communities to reap the benefits," said Jesse Colvin, CEO of Service Year Alliance. "As America recovers from the pandemic and rebuilds the economy, national service has a critical role to play in mobilizing the next generation of young people into national service and putting them on pathways to good-paying jobs. The Administration and Congress should look to expand national service and put the voices of communities at the center of the effort to combat our climate crisis and rebuild our nation's infrastructure."
"On behalf of the 52 governor-appointed state service commissions that administer AmeriCorps across the United States and its territories, America's Service Commissions is proud to endorse the bipartisan CORPS Act as it is introduced in the House of Representatives for the 117th Congress," said Kaira Esgate, CEO of America's Service Commissions (ASC), which also leads the States for Service Coalition. "We thank Reps. Price, Matsui, Cole, and Waltz as well as the Congressional National Service Caucus for their unwavering support of national service and state service commissions. The CORPS Act will ensure that AmeriCorps and volunteer programs are a cornerstone of our nation's strategy for long-term COVID-19 recovery, and are accessible to all Americans who wish to serve their country while gaining valuable job skills in the process. The CORPS Act also provides governors and their state service commissions the flexibility they need to get national service resources out the door to local communities and nonprofits quickly and efficiently during the COVID economic recovery period."
In addition to Representatives Matsui, Price, Cole, and Waltz, the bill is cosponsored by Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY-03), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), John Larson (D-CT-01), John Sarbanes (D-MD-03), Michael San Nicolas (D-GUAM-AL), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), André ƒarson (D-IN-07), Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA-08), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-15), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-11), Conor Lamb (D-PA-17), Peter Meijer (R-MI-03), Kaiali?i Kahele (D-HI-02), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Van Taylor (R-TX-03), Josh Harder (D-CA-10), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Don Bacon (R-NE-02), Jason Crow (D-CO-06).
The U.S. Senate companion legislation has been introduced by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Roger Wicker (R-MS), they are joined by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI), Roy Blunt (R-MO), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Susan Collins (R-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Angus King (I-ME), John Cornyn (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), and Dick Durbin (D-IL).
It is also endorsed by over 100 service organizations across the country. The full list of endorsers can be found here.
A one pager on the bill can be found here. The bill text is available here.
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