CHARLOTTE, NC – With Honor Action praises the inclusion of an additional $1 billion for national service programs in the American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law on March 11th. The provision doubles the annual budget for AmeriCorps, increases member benefits and living allowances for those who serve, and deploys additional support to communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. With Honor Action was proud to work with a coalition of organizations like Voices for National Service to promote national service expansion.
“The expansion of national service programs will bring much needed support to local communities hurting from the COVID-19 pandemic,” says With Honor Action Co-Founder and CEO Rye Barcott. “I am grateful for the work done by groups like With Honor and Voices for National Service, as well as to Senator Coons, Senator Wicker, and the Chair of the House National Service Caucus Representative David Price to expand national service opportunities for Americans to serve our country. Even when partisanship and division are at a high, service is something Americans from all political beliefs can get behind and make happen.”
“Over the last year, people of all ages and backgrounds have answered the call to serve their communities – whether by tutoring students, delivering meals, or coordinating logistics at vaccine and testing centers,” says Senator Chris Coons from Delaware. “AmeriCorps members have made a real difference in our pandemic response and recovery. That’s why Congress is doubling down on the power of national service programs to help build us out of this crisis. This $1 billion in new funding is a down payment as we work to expand national service in the longer term, better support members during and after their service, and allow more Americans to take part in this important work giving back to their communities and country.”
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With Honor Action is a cross-partisan movement focused on supporting military veterans who want to work across the aisle and put principles before politics while serving again in Congress. With Honor Action’s advisory board includes post-9/11 veterans and Gold Star family members — Chris Howard, Ryan Manion, and Medal of Honor Recipient Florent Groberg — as well as prominent American leaders such as Secretary Robert Gates, Senator John Warner, Admiral Michael Mullen, General Nadja West, and David Gergen.
With Honor Action is a 501(c)(4), which serves as the organization’s policy and social-welfare arm. With Honor has an affiliated federally registered “super PAC” called With Honor Fund.