Senator Harry Reid issued a statement applauding the bill and all those who worked to pass it. The Senator focused on the timeliness of the bill, given the current economic crisis.

Even as our economy suffers and family budgets tighten, generous Americans are looking for ways to serve and give back to their country. In fact, given the current crises, our neighbors, schools and hospitals need our help more than ever.

Inspiring and incentivizing more Americans to serve their communities and their country will help us tackle the many serious challenges before us and help our economy recover and prosper. That is exactly what the bipartisan Serve America Act does.

We could not agree more. The Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act will expand opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to participate in national service, and allow government to partner with social innovators to find effective solutions to the challenges we face as a nation.

Read Senator Reid’s full statement here.