FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mar 23, 2009

Dear Colleagues,

Congressional work on national service legislation goes to the Senate this week, as the full Senate begins consideration of S. 277, the Serve America Act, this afternoon.

The Serve America Act, sponsored by Senator Ted Kennedy (MA) and Senator Orrin Hatch (UT) along with 33 cosponsors, would reauthorize and strengthen the programs of the Corporation for National and Community Service and create new opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve their country. The bill was approved on a voice vote by the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee last week.

We thank Senator Kennedy (MA), Senator Enzi (WY), Senator Mikulski (MD), Senator Hatch (UT), and other Senators for their efforts on this important bill to expand national service programs, increase efficiency and accountability, support social innovation, strengthen our volunteer infrastructure, and help usher in a new generation of service for America.

Senate floor consideration started a few minutes ago, and may continue over the next few days. You can watch the proceedings on C-SPAN 2 or on C-SPAN’s website. The text of the Serve America Act as reported by the HELP Committee is available on the Committee website.

In Service,

Nicola Goren
Acting CEO
Corporation for National and Community Service

AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country's most pressing challenges through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture. Learn more at AmeriCorps.gov.