Following recent funding cuts to the program and internal accounting problems that threatened the financial solvency of the program, Senator Susan Collins urged President Bush to request additional funding this year. Earlier today, the Senate approved the President's supplemental appropriations bill, which includes additional funding for AmeriCorps.
"AmeriCorps is an essential community service program that gives thousands of Americans the opportunity to provide valuable services to communities that might not otherwise have these services," said Senator Susan Collins. She explained that AmeriCorps helps address educational, public safety, human, and environmental needs.
In a letter to President Bush last month, Senator Collins wrote, "AmeriCorps is an outstanding program which has proven successful in addressing our homeland security needs, leveraging volunteers and improving the quality of services available to a broad range of Americans….We should do everything in our power to reward the American men and women who have chosen to serve the country and their communities in the hope of meeting the nation's critical needs." She further wrote, "I request additional funding in the supplemental appropriations bill to ensure that AmeriCorps remains a strong and vital program today and in the future."
At issue are recent funding cuts and accounting problems within the Corporation for National and Community Service, the organization that oversees AmeriCorps. Both have threatened the number of volunteers the program has the ability to support. The Corporation, however, has been working with Congress, the Office of Management and Budget and the General Accounting Office to address these matters.