Serve America Act Funding Debate Begins Tomorrow

In April, President Obama signed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act into law. The Act more than triples the size of AmeriCorps and will create a new era of service in America. Service Nation Coalition and grassroots support was essential to getting this legislation passed. Now, the service movement needs your help one more time to let Congress know how important it is to fully fund the Serve America Act.

THIS WEDNESDAY, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees will begin deciding how much to invest in service throughout our nation. This is a critical moment in the legislative process, and it is important that all champions of service call on Congress and urge them to support President Obama’s budget request for the Corporation for National and Community Service. The funds requested by the President have the ability to help countless service programs and nonprofit organizations across the country.

How can you help ?

It’s important to act now. TODAY, TOMORROW, AND WEDNESDAY, please call and ask your legislators to fund the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.149 billion for the following fiscal year, as requested by the President. Your outreach is extremely important as Congress faces some tough decisions on national funding priorities. House Appropriators are scheduled to hold their first markup session on July 8th, THIS WEDNESDAY and the Senate Committee is expected to meet on July 20th.

HOW TO CONTACT YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

1. To determine the members of your congressional delegation, visit www.congress.org. This database will provide you with contact information for your elected officials.

2. You can call your Congressperson directly or be connected through the House Operator (202-225-3121) or Senate Operator (202-224-3121).

3. Once connected, identify yourself as a constituent and ask to speak to the Legislative Assistant in change of national service and education issues.

4. Let the Legislative Assistant know that you strongly support fully funding the Corporation for National and Community Service at $1.149 billion, as requested by the President.

Please act TODAY to help our nation.