April 10, 2002 - Hartford Courant: Senator Chris Dodd wary of USA Freedom Corps as umbrella organization
Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Peace Corps Library: Reference: Congressional Relations: April 10, 2002 - Hartford Courant: Senator Chris Dodd wary of USA Freedom Corps as umbrella organization
By Admin1 (admin) on Thursday, April 11, 2002 - 11:54 am: Edit Post

Senator Chris Dodd wary of USA Freedom Corps as umbrella organization




Read and comment on this story from the Hartford Courant on President Bush's trip to Connecticut to promote volunteerism.

Note the paragraph in the middle of the story about RPCV Seantor Dodd's reaction to the USA Freedom Corps:

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., a former Peace Corps volunteer, is wary of that idea of an umbrella organization. Dodd, whose subcommittee has jurisdiction over such a plan, said the different programs "have different missions, and people have seen the value of these different programs."
Read the story at:

NATIONAL SERVICE PITCH LIKELY TO BE TOUGH SELL IN CONGRESS *

* This link was active on the date it was posted. PCOL is not responsible for broken links which may have changed.


NATIONAL SERVICE PITCH LIKELY TO BE TOUGH SELL IN CONGRESS

Apr 10, 2002 - Hartford Courant Author(s): David Lightman; Washington Bureau Chief

National service is one of those ideas that politicians love to tout but Washington lawmakers love to bury.

And although there is renewed hope that the ideas on volunteerism President Bush promoted Tuesday in Connecticut will survive and thrive, formidable hurdles remain for funding and approval.

For Bush, pushing such programs is a no-lose political situation. It helps take the media focus off the thorniest issues of Mideast turmoil. It provides nice photo opportunities as Bush poses with hard-working people who are giving up their time to help the less fortunate. And the idea of service is a response to terrorism that everyone can easily understand.

As Bush said Tuesday, "I'm prepared to help you find somebody to help if you want help."

The president sent Congress a proposal for a Citizen Service Act that he said would coordinate and improve government-backed volunteer programs. State and local officials would get more clout in how they are run -- and Bush said, more money. And there also would be additional funds for faith-based organizations that participated in service programs.

But first comes Congress -- where Bush has to overcome skepticism from members of his own party who have never liked the idea of one of the volunteer programs, the 9-year old AmeriCorps, the brainchild of President Clinton and moderate Democrats.

Volunteers in AmeriCorps perform community service for a year, and in return can get money for tuition or student loans, and living expenses during that 12 months.

House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, Tuesday reiterated his skepticism about the program, though he did say Bush's proposals for other forms of service at least opened a door for bargaining over how to handle volunteer efforts.

The second problem is concern that Bush's plan to get volunteers involved in a Citizen Corps helping police, firefighters and other emergency rescue personnel has a militaristic ring to it, and might be used to supplement law enforcement.

"There is some concern among our groups that this will create a volunteer police force, but we don't think that's the president's intention," said Pat Read, vice president for public affairs at the Independent Sector, which represents nonprofit groups.

A third issue is of more concern to longtime supporters of different programs. All the volunteer programs -- AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps, the Senior Corps, Citizen Corps and others -- are part of the USA Freedom Corps.

Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., a former Peace Corps volunteer, is wary of that idea of an umbrella organization. Dodd, whose subcommittee has jurisdiction over such a plan, said the different programs "have different missions, and people have seen the value of these different programs."

The fourth issue may be the toughest: Finding the $290 million increase Bush wants for all this.

The lament came from all sides. "My first question is, 'If you want it, how are you going to pay for it?'" asked Armey. "There have to be tradeoffs."

Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, D-Conn., long a supporter of the service idea, had a similar concern. "We need to find the resources," he said. "I'm not sure where that will happen."

If not enough federal money is available, another worry emerges: "Will the responsibility to fund these programs be shifted back to states?" wondered Gary Bass, director of OMB Watch, a budget research group.

Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who along with Sen. Evan Bayh, D- Ind., has launched a series of college tours to promote the idea, thought some of the money could come from the president's request for higher defense spending.

With Bush pushing the issue so hard, Congress could probably come up with enough funds, McCain said. "The president," he added, "has enormous persuasive powers."


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