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Issue #278
April 1, 2009

Serve America Act Sent to President for Signature

On March 31, the House approved the Senate amendments to H.R. 1388, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act by a bipartisan vote of 275-149. The bill, previously passed in the House as the Generations Invigorating Volunteerism and Education (GIVE) Act, authorizes a massive expansion of the volunteer national service programs for Americans of all ages. The bill passed the Senate on March 26 by an overwhelmingly bipartisan margin, 79-19. Click here to see how representatives voted on the Senate's amendments to H.R. 1388.

The House vote was the last step in the legislative process. The landmark bill will be sent to President Obama to be signed into law.

We are deeply grateful to Senators Kennedy, Hatch, Mikulski and Enzi and Representatives Miller, McKeon, McCarthy and Platts for working together in a spirit of bipartisanship to reauthorize national service programs and expand opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to serve. At a time when many families and communities are struggling, Americans are stepping forward in record numbers to serve, ready to roll up their sleeves to help solve the growing challenges facing our country. This new legislation will tap the energy and ingenuity of our citizens to address critical problems, help innovative and effective nonprofit organizations by providing needed human capital, and ensure accountability, transparency and results. We look forward to working with the President and Congress in the weeks and months ahead to realize their inspiring vision for engaging Americans in voluntary service to community and country.