"Protect National Service Act" Aims to Safeguard AmeriCorps Agency: Bill Bars Use of Specific Funds for Elimination

This bill, officially the "Protect National Service Act," essentially puts safeguards around the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that runs AmeriCorps and Senior Corps. It explicitly prohibits using funds from the American Relief Act of 2025, or any prior appropriations act, for the purpose of eliminating CNCS as a government corporation (Sec. 3). The main goal appears to be ensuring the continuity and stability of these national service programs by protecting their parent agency's structure.

More Than Just Goodwill: Underscoring Value

The legislation starts by laying out the case for why national service is worth protecting (Sec. 2). It cites findings like a $17.30 return to society for every $1 invested in these programs and highlights the massive contribution of volunteers over the past 30 years – think over 1.2 billion hours of service. It's a reminder that programs like AmeriCorps aren't just about volunteering; they're presented as significant contributors to communities nationwide, involved in everything from disaster response to tutoring. The bill includes a "Sense of Congress" statement, basically Congress going on record that any changes to CNCS should follow existing laws and maintain support for these service initiatives.

Locking the Funding Door and Checking the Locks

The core action is found in Section 3. It forbids using money designated under the American Relief Act of 2025 (or previous funding laws) to dismantle CNCS, which is legally classified as a "Government corporation" under federal law (5 U.S.C. § 103). The bill clarifies this doesn't mean elimination was allowed before, but it erects a specific financial barrier using these particular funds. To ensure this rule is followed, the legislation adds an accountability layer: the CEO of CNCS must formally certify to relevant House and Senate committees – first within 30 days of the bill's enactment, and then annually for five years – that they are complying with this funding restriction (Sec. 3). This regular check-in acts as a mechanism to confirm the agency's structural protection remains in place.