During AmeriCorps Week, Reed & Larson Renew Push for ACTION to Increase Service Opportunities Act & Help Students Reduce Their Debt

WASHINGTON, DC - In his inaugural address on January 20, 1961, President John F. Kennedy famously challenged his fellow Americans: "Ask not what your country can do for you: Ask what you can do for your country."

Building on the American tradition of public service to others that has long been a pillar of being an American, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman John B. Larson (D-CT-01) today teamed up with their colleagues to reintroduce the America's Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act. This bicameral legislation would enhance access to national and community service opportunities, lower student debt, create a more engaged citizenry, and address national priorities in education, infrastructure, health care, disaster relief, and poverty.

"Answering the call to serve is among the most significant things we can do to improve our communities, strengthen our nation, and make a difference in someone's life. Expanding opportunities for national service will help more people find their calling, unlock new opportunities, and help others," said Senator Reed. "This bill will grow our capacity to enlist, equip, and empower young people to address our nation's most pressing challenges and give them the opportunity to serve the country while they earn money toward their education. It will build new partnerships for service, increase volunteerism, and strengthen our nation."

"In his inaugural address, President Kennedy issued his famous call for all Americans to step up and serve their nation - something I am reminded of every day by the lapel pin I wear of his image," said Larson. "I am proud to introduce ACTION today with Senator Reed and so many of our colleagues to make President Kennedy's call to service a reality for more of our young people, rewarding them for their service and dedication and allowing them to invest in their future in return. Our bill will make it possible for volunteers to afford two years of in-state college tuition for every year they serve their country - reducing the burden of sky-high college costs and crushing student loan debt too many Americans face."

America's Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act would achieve the following goals:

• Gives all those who wish to serve the opportunity to do so by establishing a ten-year goal of providing the necessary federal funding to support at least one million service positions nationwide.
• Significantly reduces the burden of student loan debt by ensuring that individuals who serve two full terms of service are rewarded with an education benefit equivalent to four years of the average in-state tuition at a public, four-year college.
• Increases access to national service opportunities by raising living stipend amounts, allowing members to earn a meaningful wage during their service.
• Makes the education benefit and living stipend free from federal taxation.
• Renames the existing Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration and elevates it to a Cabinet-level federal agency, including the appointment of a Director of AmeriCorps with the same rank as Cabinet Secretaries. The Director would be required to establish an interagency working group to evaluate both education award eligibility for participants in programs outside of AmeriCorps and the feasibility of granting Federal hiring preference to volunteers.
• Creates a 21st Century American Service Outreach Program to notify eligible individuals about opportunities to serve.
• Maintains the authority and programmatic responsibilities of state and local boards to direct federal resources to meet community needs and be responsive to local priorities.
• Establishes a National Service Foundation to encourage private sector and philanthropic investment in expanding national service opportunities.

The reintroduction of the ACTION for National Service Act comes as service organizations across the nation celebrate AmeriCorps Week, highlighting the power of public service to unite communities, transform lives, and address challenges facing the nation.

Cosponsors in the U.S. Senate include Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Coons (D-DE).

Cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives include Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Diana DeGette (CO-01), John Garamendi (CA-08), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Judy Chu (CA-28), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Sean Casten (IL-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12).

The ACTION for National Service Act is supported by more than 40 endorsing organizations, including Voices for National Service, YouthBuild USA, and City Year.

"The strong desire of young people to serve their communities coupled with the tremendous needs of our nation, means that now is the time to strengthen national service. The ACTION for National Service Act would?expand AmeriCorps to support communities, while giving young people experience, skills, increased benefits, and a post-service scholarship to help pay for college," said AnnMaura Connolly, President of Voices for National Service. "We're grateful to Senator Jack Reed and Representative John Larson for championing this legislation so that every young American, regardless of their background, has the opportunity to spend a year in service."

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