LATEST NEWS from Washington
RSVP WASHINGTON UPDATE
August 2025
Congress has left Washington and won’t return for a month. There has been important news regarding Appropriations for AmeriCorps programs.
Before leaving town, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved its version of the bill on a bipartisan basis. The Committee voted overwhelmingly to fund the entire portfolio of programs at what amounts to level funding. The bill funds all streams: AmeriCorps, Seniors including RSVP), VISITA, NCCC, State Service Commission grants, and others at $1.25 billion, reducing only Salaries and Expenses by $10 million.
Taking note of Trump Administration actions, the bill includes language intended to prevent the Administration from cutting staff and promptly deciding and disbursing competitive grant awards in a timely fashion.
Where do we stand?The House Appropriations Committee deferred consideration of its version of the bill. It may consider it when Congress returns in September. At some point (at this rate well into the next Fiscal Year), the House and Senate will have to reconcile what are likely to be very different bills. We will have to live with uncertainty for the next few months.
This is an excellent time for you to engage with your elected officials. It is vitally important that they hear from you.
The message is very simple: Support the Senate bill.
Remember to deliver the message on your own time and consistent with CNCS policies.
Your efforts, and those of many, many, others have had an impact.
DON’T STOP NOW.
Enjoy the summer.
Help us save National Service and RSVP
Yours,
Betty M. Ruth,
PresidentNARSVPD, Inc.