Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Don Bacon (R-NE) wrote to the White House in response to recent media reports of the Department of Government Efficiency targeting the Corporation for National and Community Service, commonly known as AmeriCorps, for large-scale cuts. Following the President’s recent executive orders instructing some agencies to be dismantled “to the maximum extent of the law,” this letter serves to remind the President that national service remains a bipartisan priority, and that AmeriCorps has the continued support of federal lawmakers.

The letter reads:

As you consider taking action to reform the Corporation for National and Community Service, typically referred to as AmeriCorps, we urge you to work with Congress rather than taking executive action that would halt the important work this agency is engaged in.

National service remains one of the great unifiers in our country, bringing people together across partisan lines regardless of background. Like military service, community service helps to bridge the divisions that exist in our nation and performs a vital role in every state. Not only do these opportunities provide an important avenue for Americans to come together at a time when we seemingly couldn’t be more divided, but AmeriCorps funding offers an excellent return on investment for our communities. One recent study demonstrated that for every $1 Congress invests in AmeriCorps and in AmeriCorps Seniors, our country benefits more than $17.

Over the last 30 years more than 900,000 Americans have served as AmeriCorps members, contributing more than 1.2 billion hours of service to their communities, accounting for a value of more than $38 billion across every state and U.S. territory. AmeriCorps members have helped Americans recover from natural disasters, combat the opioid epidemic, and even rebuild after terrorist attacks like 9/11. Just last year, hundreds of AmeriCorps members supported recovery operations in states across the Southwest in response to Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton.

National service is a public-private partnership which recognizes that America is at its best when citizens work together in common purpose. The resources provided by AmeriCorps, matched by significant support from States and the private sector, are helping organizations across the country work in creative ways to tackle our most persistent and costly challenges. That is why a bipartisan group of Members of Congress have always come together to appropriate funds for this agency, through legislation always signed into law by the President.

As you consider changes to these programs, we ask that you continue to work legislatively with Congress to deliver the updates needed to honor America’s history of service.

Click here to read the letter.

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Houlahan is an Air Force veteran, engineer, entrepreneur, educator, and nonprofit leader. She is serving her fourth consecutive term representing the people of Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District, which encompasses Chester County and southern Berks County. Houlahan is the first female veteran to be named as Ranking Member of the House Armed
Services Committee’s Military Personnel Subcommittee and a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Houlahan is also chair of the Economic Growth and Cost of Living Task Force on the New Democrat Coalition.