Chairman Cassidy, Hickenlooper, Neguse Introduce Bill to Build AmeriCorps and National Guard Partnership, Bolster Community Resilience

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and John Hickenlooper (D-CO), and U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) introduced the National Guard for National Service Act. The legislation establishes a formal partnership between AmeriCorps and the National Guard, launching a pilot program to train National Guard and Reserve service members in areas of critical national security importance.

"Whether it's protecting families from crime or lending a helping hand after a hurricane, every Louisianian can attest to the invaluable role of the National Guard and AmeriCorps," said Dr. Cassidy. "By empowering guardsmen to partner with AmeriCorps, we make our communities safer."

"Members of the National Guard and AmeriCorps have service ingrained in everything they do," said Senator Hickenlooper. "Service members who want to continue serving their country should have more opportunities to give back. We're excited to see a pilot program like this scaled nationwide."

"Colorado's National Guard members always answer the call to serve, and their pilot partnership with AmeriCorps has equipped Colorado servicemembers with specialized training for meaningful career advancement while also strengthening community resilience," said Representative Neguse. "I am proud to introduce the National Guard for National Service Act, which takes a proven Colorado success story and expands its reach nationwide. This bill will create opportunities for National Guard members to continue their commitment to service by participating in AmeriCorps and receiving specialized training that protects our communities, supports local workforce needs, and opens the door for future careers in public service."

Specifically, the bill establishes a nationwide employment and training pipeline to connect part-time National Guard and Reserve service members with career development opportunities such as:

• Protecting essential infrastructure like transportation, energy, communications, and water management systems.

• Strengthening the cybersecurity of local and Tribal governments, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and nonprofits.

• Efforts to expand community preparedness for and resilience to major disasters, such as wildfires and hurricanes.

Background:

AmeriCorps members serve in more than 50,000 locations across the country each year. Bringing together federal, state, and philanthropic resources, AmeriCorps programs address the critical needs of at-risk youth, seniors, and veterans and promote education, public safety and health, and the environment. Since 1993, more than 1.2 million Americans have served their communities through AmeriCorps.

Read the full bill text here.

Read the one-pager here.

###

For all news and updates from HELP Republicans, visit ourwebsite or Twitterat @GOPHELP.