111th Congress

During the 111^th Congress, the Serve America Act was renamed the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. The legislation reauthorized the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs to create new opportunities for Americans of all ages to serve, increase efficiency and accountability, support social innovation, strengthen the nation’s volunteer infrastructure, and help usher in a new generation of service for America.

111th Congress: Reauthorization of the Corporation for National and Community Service and Expansion of National Service Programs

The Serve America Act, S. 277, legislation to reauthorize and strengthen the national service laws, was introduced by Senators Kennedy and Hatch on Jan. 16, 2009. On March 26, 2009, the Senate voted 79-19 to pass national service reauthorization legislation, naming the bill the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act.

• Statement by the President on the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (The White House - 3/26/2009)
• Press Release: Senate Passes Historic Bipartisan Expansion of National Service (3/26/2009)
• Bill Text (PDF - Government Printing Office)
• Bill Summary (Congressional Research Service)
• Statement of Alan Solomont Before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the Next Generation of National Service (3/9/2009)
• Statement of Stephen Goldsmith Before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on the Next Generation of National Service (3/9/2009)

The Generations Invigorating Volunteering and Education (GIVE) Act, H.R. 1388, a bipartisan reauthorization bill, was introduced on March 10, 2009. On March 11, 2009, the House Committee on Education and Labor approved the GIVE Act by a vote of 34-3.

• Statement From the President Praising House Passage of the GIVE Act (The White House - 3/18/2009)
• Press Release: House Passes Bipartisan Legislation to Expand and Strengthen National Service (3/18/2009)