Message from Harris Wofford:
The House of Representatives is scheduled to begin debate on the VA-HUD
appropriation bill for Fiscal Year 1998 - which includes the budget for
AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve America grant programs -- today, Tuesday,
July 15, 1997.
The House Appropriations Committee approved the VA-HUD bill on July 8th.
It provides $402.5 million for AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve grant
programs -- the same figure as fiscal year 1997.
During the Committee deliberations, the Committee considered and rejected
an amendment that would have eliminated National Service funding and
transferred the funds to the Veterans Administration for Gulf War
Syndrome research and to deficit reduction. A similar attempt to
eliminate national service funding is expected today or tomorrow during
the House floor deliberations.
This juxtaposition of our programs in competition with Veterans was also
used, successfully, last year, despite an up-and-down straight vote in
which a majority opposed elimination of AmeriCorps. The subcommittee
chairman, Rep. Jerry Lewis (CA) has indicated that despite any cut we may
sustain this week, national service will be fully funded in the final
conference report. The Bipartisan Budget Agreement was achieved without
cutting national service, and the President remains steadfastly opposed
to any funding cuts. Congressional leaders know that the President will
not approve any bill that eliminates or cuts national service.
The Senate VA-HUD Appropriations subcommittee is expected to makes its
funding proposal for AmeriCorps and Learn & Serve grant programs later
today.
Funding for AmeriCorps*VISTA and the Senior Corps programs will be
considered by the House and Senate Labor-HHS Appropriations subcommittees
in the weeks ahead.
I remind you that the Fiscal Year 1998 funding being considered this
summer is for grant programs beginning in the fall of 1998. Programs
beginning this autumn (1997) are already fully funded, and the grant
process is underway.
National service has proven it is getting things done of great value in
hundreds of communities throughout America. With your leadership, we look
to forward to another year of meeting the challenges that face our nation
- especially those that face our children and youth.
We will keep you posted as developments unfold.