Reps Moulton, Duckworth Join Forces on Legislation to Expand National Service Opportunities for Americans
April 26, 2016
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Service bill aims to empower young Americans to serve by expanding civilian service programs and offering college financial assistance
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Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined forces in proposing bold legislation to encourage young people to serve their country, expand our nation’s civilian service programs, and help make college more affordable. The 21st Century American Service Act would transform national service programs like City Year and Teach For America from institutions that can only accept a fraction of applicants into universal, fully-voluntary, and uniquely American organizations.
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“Serving in the Marines changed my life,” said Moulton. “Every American should have the opportunity to give back to our country in some form of public service. Yet, each year, the number of Americans who apply to participate in national service programs far exceeds the number of available positions. The 21st Century American Service Act would build on on this strong sense of engagement and ensure that all Americans from ages 18 to 30 have the opportunity to serve. I’m proud to stand with my colleague and fellow veteran, Representative Tammy Duckworth, to promote inclusive service."
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“My family and I served this country in uniform, but people of all stripes serve their country out of uniform each and every day too,” said Duckworth. “Just as picking up a rifle to defend our country is ‘American Service,’ so is picking up a soup spoon to feed the less fortunate, a stick of chalk to teach low-income children or a hammer to rebuild homes for those devastated by natural disasters. Whether defending our nation or rebuilding its communities, we should do everything we can to honor and support all those who are willing to serve, but instead we’re turning them away in droves. My 21st Century American Service Act will finally let us put this groundswell of untapped energy to work revitalizing our country.”
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The multitude of civilian service programs provide opportunities to help rebuild run-down school buildings, improve neighborhoods, assist low-income communities, and educate our children, among many other unfilled—but valuable—roles like helping address the Flint Water Crisis. Many Americans aren’t able to take advantage of these programs because their financial situation does not allow them to volunteer. Additionally, because these service programs are not adequately resourced or funded, the individuals who do seek to volunteer their time are often turned away—at rates comparable to some Ivy League universities.
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Moulton and Duckworth’s 21st Century American Service Act addresses each of these problems by expanding service positions available through civilian national service organizations and ensuring all young Americans are informed of the opportunities available to them. Additionally, it would strengthen the educational awards that young Americans earn through service, make those educational awards tax-free, and create an innovative national service college compact pilot program that would double the maximum educational award for participants who complete two years of service and a year of work in public service or with a non-profit entity. This award would help young Americans pay college tuition or pay down student loan debt.
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To learn more about Congressman Seth Moulton visit https://moulton.house.gov or find the Congressman on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, or Medium.
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