Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
March 13, 2026
WASHINGTON, D.C. — During AmeriCorps week, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Congressman John B. Larson (CT-01) reintroduced the America’s Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act. This bicameral legislation would enhance access to national and community service opportunities, lower student debt, create a more engaged citizenry, and address national priorities in education, infrastructure, health care, disaster relief, and poverty.
America’s Call to Improve Opportunities Now (ACTION) for National Service Act would achieve the following goals:
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Significantly reduces the burden of student loan debt by ensuring that individuals who serve two full terms of service are rewarded with an education benefit equivalent to four years of the average in-state tuition at a public, four-year college.
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Renames the existing Corporation for National and Community Service as the AmeriCorps Administration and elevates it to a Cabinet-level federal agency, including the appointment of a Director of AmeriCorps with the same rank as Cabinet Secretaries. The Director would be required to establish an interagency working group to evaluate both education award eligibility for participants in programs outside of AmeriCorps and the feasibility of granting Federal hiring preference to volunteers.
The reintroduction of the ACTION for National Service Act comes as service organizations across the nation celebrate AmeriCorps Week, highlighting the power of public service to unite communities, transform lives, and address challenges facing the nation.
Cosponsors in the U.S. Senate include Senators Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Chris Coons (D-DE).
Cosponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives include Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Judy Chu (CA-28), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Sean Casten (IL-06), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Lateefah Simon (CA-12).
The ACTION for National Service Act is supported by more than 40 endorsing organizations, including Voices for National Service, YouthBuild USA, and City Year.