Alliance for Community Trees : Jobs

Washington, DC (March 31, 2009)- Senators Kennedy (MA-D) and Hatch (UT-R) introduced the "Serve America Act," a bill to expand national and community service opportunities for all Americans. Passage of this Act, along with the reauthorization bill for the Corporation for National and Community Service and implementation of President Obama's Service Agenda will allow nonprofits, service organizations, and social innovators to respond to our current economic crisis.

Bill Status:
* March 31, 2009- Passed House 275-149
* March 25, 2009- Passed Senate 79-19.
* March 18, 2009- Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee approves S. 277.
* January 16, 2009- Bill reintroduced.
* September 11, 2008- Bill introduced.

At the ServiceNation Summit, Senators Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) introduced S.3487, The Serve America Act. This major legislative initiative will expand and improve domestic and international service opportunities. If passed, this bill will engage Americans of all ages to do service work in health, education, environmental protection, and anti-poverty programs.

Senator Kennedy, Chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said in a statement, the "Serve America Act" will "connect every generation through service, and enable them to help tackle a wide range of national challenges, from the dropout crisis that plagues our schools to the lack of health care in our neediest communities to the energy and environmental crises that threatens our planet."

Senator Hatch said, "By harnessing the talents and efforts of the American people, faith-based groups and nonprofit organizations, we can empower more people, improve more communities and tackle more of our nation's greatest challenges."

The original co-sponsors of the bill include presidential candidates, Senators John McCain (R-AZ) and Barack Obama (D-IL), as well as Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), and Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT).