WORKING TO PROTECT THE AMERICORPS PROGRAM
One group of AmeriCorps volunteers helped teach science to students at Freeport High School who were struggling with their classroom material. Their teachers understood that what these students needed was a hands-on experience. For the last three years, AmeriCorps volunteers were able to provide that experience and take advantage of Maine's natural abundance, teaching the high school students about biology, animal husbandry, and agricultural sciences in the natural setting at Wolf's Neck Farm. Other volunteers worked to improve trails in state parks throughout Maine and to foster conservation efforts. Yet another group of volunteers worked for a program in Portland that helps smooth the transition for immigrants by encouraging them to plant gardens whose harvests are then used to supply the emergency food program. This summer, the program was able to donate $20,000 worth of food to emergency food programs in southern Maine as a result of the leadership of AmeriCorps volunteers. It is little wonder that I have been contacted by hundreds of Mainers in support of AmeriCorps. I know that the program is making a positive difference in Maine and across America.
It is important to make sure that this program that contributes so much receives the support it needs to thrive and grow over the years to come. Unfortunately, however, the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers the AmeriCorps program, has done a poor job of overseeing the program's finances. It recently announced drastic and unprecedented cuts in the program, ranging from 50 to 90 percent. These cuts are due to a number of factors, including over-enrollment in AmeriCorps and accounting problems. I am very concerned that these cuts in funding and volunteer slots threaten volunteer programs in states like Maine, where AmeriCorps programs have been operating efficiently and effectively.
In response, I helped lead the Senate effort to provide $100 million in much needed emergency funding to mitigate cuts to the program. This legislation would protect nearly 20,000 volunteer positions this year and allow the program to enroll an additional 30,000 volunteers in the coming months. Unfortunately, while we were successful in getting the Senate to pass legislation that provided the needed AmeriCorps funds, we were unable to persuade the House of Representatives to do the same. Nevertheless, I will work to include increased funding for AmeriCorps as the Senate considers appropriations legislation in the months ahead.
Earlier this year, I signed on as an original cosponsor of the Strengthen the AmeriCorps Program Act, which provided a small measure of relief to AmeriCorps in Maine by allowing 66 volunteers to serve. While this is a drastic reduction from the 163 volunteers who served last year, it is a great improvement over earlier projections, which estimated that as few as 10 volunteers would be able to participate this year. This bill also imposes stronger financial controls on the program to avoid future problems.
Finally, as Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, I also had the opportunity to question Joshua Bolten about AmeriCorps during his nomination hearing to head the Office of Management and Budget. Mr. Bolten, who was confirmed to serve as the President's advisor on budget and economic issues, pledged to work with me to secure funding for AmeriCorps, and I am hopeful that we will be able to resolve the major financial difficulties facing AmeriCorps soon.
AmeriCorps gives thousands of Americans the opportunity to provide valuable services to communities that might not otherwise have them. I remain committed to the mission of the program and to providing increased opportunities for the Americans who dedicate their time and efforts to improving the world around them. We should do everything in our power to assist those Americans who have chosen to serve their communities and their country in order to help meet the nation's critical needs.
