Service Year Alliance’s Statement on President Biden's FY24 Budget Request:
“President Biden’s bold budget request — which calls for a robust 13 percent increase in funding for AmeriCorps, a 15 percent increase to the Peace Corps, a 38 percent increase to YouthBuild, and a $20 million investment in establishing the Civilian Climate Corps through a partnership with the Department of Labor, AmeriCorps, and other federal agencies — is a critical step toward making national service part of growing up in America. Service Year Alliance applauds the president for continuing to make good on his Administration’s commitments to national service,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “The proposed increase to AmeriCorps would allow for continued increases to AmeriCorps members’ living allowance, moving closer to President Biden’s call for a $15/hour living allowance at the United We Stand summit last fall. This commitment, along with multiple equity-focused proposals in his budget request related to expanding non-competitive eligibility to all AmeriCorps members, making the education award accessible for DACA recipients, eliminating the tax on the Segal Education Award, and other essential improvements that will strengthen national service and lay the foundation, so that one day all young Americans have the opportunity to serve. We strongly urge Congress to work toward an appropriations package that meets the President’s budget request and continues the long legacy of bipartisan support for national service.”