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LEGISLATIVE UPDATE - February 5, 2002
President's Budget Supports National Service Increase
[Issued prior to the availability of justifications of the Corporation's
FY 2003 Budget and subject to change.]
On Monday, February 4, President Bush submitted to Congress his fiscal
year 2003 budget (for the fiscal year beginning on October 1, 2002). And
in it, he provided significant new support for national service
initiatives, including those administered by the Corporation for National
and Community Service. His proposals were consistent with recent
announcements surrounding the establishment of the USA Freedom Corps -- a
multi-faceted call to service by all Americans under the mantle of several
cabinet level and other federal agencies.
According to OMB documents, the President's Budget calls for a 41 percent
increase in funding for the Corporation for National and Community
Service, a $299 million increase to support 75,000 AmeriCorps members,
strengthen homeland security efforts, and expand service opportunities for
an additional 100,000 seniors.
Specifically, the budget includes $230 million in additional funding for
25,000 new AmeriCorps members over the current level of program
enrollment. Also included is $10 million for challenge grants for teaching
and other national service programs -- to be matched dollar-for-dollar
with private funding.
The NCCC is increased by $8 million to $35 million under the President's
proposal, demonstration activities under subtitle H are increased by $5
million to $35 million, and administrative support under the National and
Community Service Act is increase by $3 million to $37 million. Initial
indications suggested a cut in Learn and Serve America of $4 million to
$43 million (taking into account earmark eliminations also proposed by the
budget).
On the DVSA side of the Corporation, new support is also included for
VISTA and the National Senior Service Corps, and an additional $50 million
is made available for authority under subtitle C of title I of the Act
(Special Volunteer Programs) to provide service opportunities for an
additional 100,000 seniors, including activities un homeland security and
a new Parent Drug Corps. Line item increases include a $4 million increase
for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, $2.1 million more for the
Senior Companion Program, and $9 million more for VISTA. Under the
President's Budget, the Foster Grandparent Program would be frozen at the
same level as appropriated in FY 2002. Administrative support for DVSA
activities of the Corporation are increased by $2 million.
The President's Budget is advisory and will now be considered by the House
and Senate Appropriations Committees as part of the normal legislative
process leading up to the consideration and eventual passage of 13
distinct appropriations measures which fund activities of government. In
addition, the authorizing committees of the House and Senate will consider
proposed legislative changes in support of the President's budget --
including the soon-to-be-proposed Citizens Service Act of 2002 (national
service reauthorization).
Details to follow as they become available. |
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