Press Releases

On Thursday, June 23 at 10:00 a.m., the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training, chaired by Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), will hold a hearing entitled, “Demanding Accountability in National Service Programs.” The hearing will take place in room 2175 of the Rayburn House Office Building. 

The Corporation for National and Community Service is an independent federal agency that coordinates and administers federal community service programs, such as AmeriCorps and Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA). In 2009, Congress reauthorized the Corporation and its programs through 2014 and set a goal of increasing the number of participants. Congress also required improved accountability for the AmeriCorps program. However, in spite of this effort, two AmeriCorps participants were recently reported to have engaged in inappropriate advocacy activities with a New York Planned Parenthood organization. This incident has raised concerns about the Corporation’s ability to properly monitor participants and prevent them from participating in prohibited activities.

Thursday’s hearing will give members an opportunity to review the implementation of the 2009 reauthorization, examine flaws in the Corporation’s monitoring protocol, and discuss what steps may be necessary to better protect the use of taxpayer funds. To learn more about this hearing, visit www.republicans-edlabor.house.gov/hearings.

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WITNESS LIST

Mr. Robert Velasco, II
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Corporation for National and Community Service
Washington, D.C.