Norton Introduces Bill to Expand AmeriCorps, Reduce Youth Unemployment

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill today to help reduce the number of unemployed young Americans by expanding AmeriCorps by 500,000 members to allow unemployed young people who have mostly completed college or high school to earn a stipend sufficient to support themselves, as well as an education award, while gaining valuable work experience. Norton's bill would allow states and localities to boost personnel for badly needed services, such as after school and elderly programs, without new administrative structures or bureaucratic requirements.

"As artificial intelligence reshapes the job market and shrinks the number of available entry-level opportunities young people have long relied on to gain a foothold in their careers, we cannot afford to leave an entire generation behind," Norton said. "My bill would meet this moment by adding 500,000 new AmeriCorps positions, giving young people a paid pathway to real work experience, valuable skills, and public service at a time when AI is making it harder than ever for them to break into the workforce. We owe our young people more than a diploma and a shrinking job market. They deserve a fair shot at well-paying and meaningful careers."

Norton's full introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act

Today, I introduce the Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act to address one of the greatest workforce tragedies-our unemployed young people-by adding 500,000 new members to AmeriCorps. Youth unemployment is harming our young people and costing our country billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and tax revenue, among other costs. Although the total unemployment rate has reached a relative low (4.2 percent), the youth unemployment rate is 10.8 percent. These young people have not had a fair chance to use the high school or college education we strongly urged them to obtain.

By adding 500,000 new members to AmeriCorps, this bill would allow unemployed youth to earn a stipend, obtain work experience and provide valuable public service. AmeriCorps participants receive a living allowance and are also eligible for an education award equal to the value of a Pell grant, school-loan forbearance, health care benefits and childcare assistance.

This bill would also establish that the minimum wage for any AmeriCorps State and National member is 200 percent of the federal poverty line and would not allow for a decrease in that amount, as is allowed under current law. AmeriCorps members serve their country and gain skills, but we should increase the minimum wage for everyone, including national service members.

For some time, it has been clear that policies to address the most stubborn forms of unemployment need to be targeted in order to be effective. Without significant targeting, many young people will continue to face their first years as adults without jobs and with no way to acquire necessary work experience. Young people deserve a better start in life as adults.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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