Update March 27, 2009: The “Millionaires ammendement was not introduced to the bill.

We want to alert everyone to an amendment to the Serve America Act just offered by Senator Coburn. The “millionaire’s amendment” would prevent people with a family income over more than $1 million from receiving a living allowance or education award through AmeriCorps. This could dramatically change the culture of service in our country, and the broader service community is concerned. Please reach out to your Senators and encourage them to oppose this amendment. See below for talking points from the service community.

The Senate could vote on this amendment as early as today, so please call as soon as possible! You can reach any Senator by calling the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-225-3121.

TALKING POINTS ON “THE MILLIONAIRES AMENDMENT”

• The amendment, originally proposed as a cost-saving measure, would have the opposite result. It would cost more to implement a “means test” for prospective applicants, than the government would ultimately save.

• One of the objectives of the Serve America Act is to engage Americans of all ages and backgrounds – the “millionaires amendment” runs directly counter to this goal. Individuals have the option to waive their living allowance and education award, making this step mandatory pre-supposes that all young people who want to serve in AmeriCorps are willing to remain financially dependant on their families.

• The “millionaire’s amendment” would create huge bureaucratic obstacles, for both applicants and AmeriCorps programs. Time and resources which could otherwise be directed at the challenges facing our nation, would instead be devoted to determining the financial status of every individual who wants to participate in AmeriCorps.

Thank you for your continued support in this effort!