House passes sweeping national service expansion

[hank scorpio]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The House of Representatives easily passed legislation Tuesday to strengthen national community service efforts by boosting funding for thousands of volunteers in fields ranging from clean energy to health care and education.

The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, recently renamed to honor the Massachusetts senator's sponsorship of the measure, passed the House by a vote of 275-149. Democrats supported it almost unanimously; a strong majority of Republicans were opposed.

The Senate passed identical legislation Thursday by a vote of 78-20. President Obama, who spent several years working as a community organizer, is expected to sign it into law shortly.

"At this time of economic crisis, we need service and volunteering more than ever. This bill will unleash a new era of service for our nation at a time of great need," Sandy Scott, a spokesman for the federally funded community service program AmeriCorps, told CNN.

Among other things, the bill would more than triple the number of positions in the AmeriCorps program, from 75,000 to 250,000, by 2017.

The increase could have a huge ripple effect in national volunteerism rates. Last year, 75,000 AmeriCorps members recruited and supervised 2.2 million community volunteers, according to Scott.

At the same time, the bill would create four new national service corps and several other initiatives, including a so-called "Summer of Service" program to spur greater community outreach by middle and high school students. Older Americans would also be encouraged to volunteer more through the creation of a "Silver Scholars" program, under which individuals 55 and older who perform 350 hours of service receive a $1,000 award.

The legislation would increase the existing AmeriCorps educational stipend offered to volunteers to $5,350 -- the same amount as the maximum Pell college grant.

Critics contend the bill is fiscally irresponsible in light of the current economic downturn. They also argue that the concept of volunteerism is undermined by providing financial compensation for community service.

The bill is expected to cost roughly $6 billion over the next five years

[D1B]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

[clenz]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

Question, how does Obama get credit for something a Ed. Kennedy authored and put into legislation?

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

Question, how does Obama get credit for something a Ed. Kennedy authored and put into legislation?

It was the White House that wrote the bill... Kennedy was the Senate's chief sponsor.

[D1B]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

Question, how does Obama get credit for something a Ed. Kennedy authored and put into legislation?

It was the White House that wrote the bill... Kennedy was the Senate's chief sponsor.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

is there an echo in here?

[BigApp]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

great, a $6 BILLION victory...

[D1B]

Great day for America. Obama scores again.

great, a $6 BILLION victory...

Better investment than 6 billion to an oil company, civilian defense contractor or the military.

[AZGrizFan]

great, a $6 BILLION victory...

Better investment than 6 billion to an oil company, civilian defense contractor or the military.

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

[Appaholic]

Better investment than 6 billion to an oil company, civilian defense contractor or the military.

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

ohh...AZ, that's cute.... ....you're killing me here.....

[AZGrizFan]

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

ohh...AZ, that's cute.... ....you're killing me here.....

I know, I know...

[Ivytalk]

Better investment than 6 billion to an oil company, civilian defense contractor or the military.

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

Because it would be selfish and unpatriotic!! -- J. R. Biden, Esq.

[D1B]

Better investment than 6 billion to an oil company, civilian defense contractor or the military.

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

Z, why do blow loads every time Reagan is mentioned? He did the same shit - spent his way out of a recession. The difference is Obama aint spending it all on the military. At least there is a return with this program.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

Z, why do blow loads every time Reagan is mentioned? He did the same shit - spent his way out of a recession. The difference is Obama aint spending it all on the military. At least there is a return with this program.

ba-zing!

[UNI88]

Why does it have to go to ANYBODY? Why can't we just keep it ourselves?

Z, why do blow loads every time Reagan is mentioned? He did the same shit - spent his way out of a recession. The difference is Obama aint spending it all on the military. At least there is a return with this program.

How much of the stimulus package is being spent on infrastructure, education, etc. Projects with at least a reasonable prospect of real long-term benefits. Vs. how much is being spent on pork projects that provide short-term benefit for political supporters?

And this isn't a criticism of Obama, it's a criticism of all of the short-sighted blowhards in Washington who lack the leadership and vision to do what is best for this country.

[TwinTownBisonFan]

Z, why do blow loads every time Reagan is mentioned? He did the same shit - spent his way out of a recession. The difference is Obama aint spending it all on the military. At least there is a return with this program.

How much of the stimulus package is being spent on infrastructure, education, etc. Projects with at least a reasonable prospect of real long-term benefits. Vs. how much is being spent on pork projects that provide short-term benefit for political supporters?

And this isn't a criticism of Obama, it's a criticism of all of the short-sighted blowhards in Washington who lack the leadership and vision to do what is best for this country.

frankly it's a question of definitions. i think people have vastly different definitions of "pork"

a huge amount is being spent on infrastructure, research, health care, etc. weatherization gets a good chunk of funding with has multiple benefits. a friend of mine is a congressional staffer whose job it is to help local businesses and organziations and homeowners get stim money for all manner of things. The money is already pumping in to the economy - 16 large transportation projects are already underway because of this funding.