Kilmer Introduces Legislation to Reduce Polarization and Support Community Bridge-Building

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Derek Kilmer (WA-06) and Andy Barr (KY-06) introduced the Building Civic Bridges Act (BCBA), bipartisan legislation to support communities in addressing sources of division by aiding local civic and community organizations. These efforts aim to confront contentious issues and, ultimately, bridge divides.

A January 2022 NBC News poll revealed that 70% of Americans believe the country’s deep divisions prevent it from addressing major issues, a significant increase from 45% in 2010. This growing polarization raises concerns about the stability of American democracy. The poll also found that 76% of Americans, cutting across party lines, see democracy and majority rule in the U.S. as being at risk.

The Bipartisan Commission on the Practice of Democratic Citizenship has highlighted a discrepancy in the U.S. government’s approach to fostering social cohesion. While the National Endowment for Democracy invests millions overseas in civic bridgebuilding to strengthen democracy, similar efforts are absent in the U.S.

“While the Administration's budget request includes important milestones that Service Year Alliance has championed for years - like continuing to increase the living allowance and supporting more American Climate Corps members,” said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance, "it does not keep us on track to make service an integral part of growing up in America, where it brings people together across lines of difference, creates opportunities for young people, and solves our most pressing challenges at scale.”

Service Year Alliance released the following statement in response to Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order on the establishment of the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation:

“Service Year Alliance applauds Governor Moore on his bold action to expand service year opportunities in Maryland. It is energizing to see his campaign commitments and long-time championing of service years come to life on the first day of his administration with an executive order creating the Maryland Department of Service and Civic Innovation. This action elevates service to a cabinet-level agency with a new Secretary overseeing its work to create the Service Year Option, including supporting and expanding service year programs, managing the state service commission, implementing the Maryland Corps, and advising the Governor on service. This executive order positions Maryland as a service leader, joining a small number of states that have instituted a cabinet-level position focused on service.

The Role of National Service in Improving Elementary and Secondary Education Outcomes in Low-Income Schools, was released on October 2, 2017 at a Capitol Hill Briefing hosted by Service Year Alliance, Voices for National Service, and America’s Promise Alliance.  The report, written by Service Year Alliance, takes a unique look at how national service members provide an under-recognized and cost-effective source of human capital to improve student outcomes in low-income schools.  The report explores seven roles that national service programs, particularly AmeriCorps, play in supporting student success to help education stakeholders and policymakers better understand how national service is critical to important education reform efforts and reducing educational disparities.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Service Year Alliance released the following statement today in response to the markup of the FY18 budget by the Senate Labor-Health and Human Services and State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations subcommittees:

“We are relieved to see the Senate reject President Trump’s FY18 budget proposal and provide level funding for national service programs like AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, and YouthBuild,” said Shirley Sagawa, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “Thanks to the bipartisan support from members of Congress, the 80,000 young people who are in Texas responding to Hurricane Harvey, in West Virginia battling the opioid crisis, in Montana and California fighting wildfires, and all across the country will be able to continue serving these communities in need. This is a critical step towards our goal of universal national service.”

This morning, an unprecedented number of dinosaurs took to the streets of Washington, DC to tell Congress to stop national service extinction. The hundreds of dinosaurs and national service advocates were present at 8 locations across the city. This included Dupont Circle, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and Union Station. The morning ended with a record number of dinosaurs rallying at the US Capitol. The campaign was in response to President Trump's 2018 budget proposal which threatens to eliminate national service programs like AmeriCorps and outlines the largest cut to the Peace Corps by a president in 40 years.

So you’re wondering what’s up with all of the dinosaurs you keep seeing around DC today? They were at your metro stop and you saw a video of them outside the Capitol, but you have no idea why? Here’s what’s going on...

A record number of dinosaurs and national service advocates are taking action across Washington, DC today to stop national service extinction.

We have some good news from Capitol Hill:

Yesterday afternoon, the subcommittee in the House that oversees funding for national service programs like AmeriCorps and YouthBuild voted to approve their draft budget for 2018. Thanks to your hard work and dedication, the committee's draft budget rejects President Trump’s proposal to eliminate AmeriCorps, and fully funds both AmeriCorps and YouthBuild at their FY17 levels.

On behalf of the entire service year community: Thank you.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday June 27, 2017

WASHINGTON, DC (June 27, 2017) – Yesterday, in response to the White House’s budget proposal, Vermont leaders and alumni of national service programs joined Service Year Alliance to call for the protection and expansion of national service. The President’s budget for Fiscal Year 2018 threatens to eliminate national service programs like AmeriCorps and dramatically cuts the Peace Corps.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 23, 2017