Answer the Call: Senator Kim Introduces Legislative Agenda to Unlock the Promise and Power of Service

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Today, in recognition of September 11 National Day of Service,Senator Andy Kim (D-N.J.)introduced a package of four bills as a part of his Answer the Call Agenda to renew a call to service for Americans of all ages and backgrounds. The legislative package aims to boost national service and encourage more Americans to engage in service by uplifting programs that connect students with opportunities to serve, creating pathways into the federal workforce, and honoring Americans making a difference to our local communities and country.
Senator Kim first introduced these bills as a member of the House of Representatives as a part of his mission to recommit our nation to the power and opportunity of service.
“Each year, we come together to mark the anniversary of September 11thwith a National Day of Service dedicated to those we lost and guided by our longing to find purpose through the gift of service. I believe we must recommit to this feeling of unity and responsibility to take care of each other,”said Senator Kim.“By opening doors to volunteering and creating more opportunities to serve, these bills are a starting point. As we look toward the 250thanniversary of our independence as a nation next year, I hope they can help create the calls to service needed for years to come to mend the fractures in our democracy and heal our country.”
Today on the 24thanniversary of September 11th, Senator Kimpublished an op-edwith further reflections on the purpose and unity found in service.
Each of the four bills are detailed below:
Learn and Serve America Reinvestment Act– To provide $40 million in funding to restart the Learn and Service America program that provides technical skills training to K-12 teachers and higher education institutions to incorporate service-learning into classrooms. Before the program was discontinued in 2011 due to a lack of funding, it successfully engaged withovera million students and teachers each year and providing 19.9 million hours of community service.

TheLearn and Serve America Reinvestment Actis endorsed by the Coalition for Service-Learning and is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Herb Conaway (NJ-03).
“The Coalition for Service Learning enthusiastically supports Senator Kim and Congressman Conaway’s introduction of the Learn and Serve America Reinvestment Act. Funding to support service-learning across K-12 schools, universities, Indian tribes and community-based organizations has never been more important. Throughout the nation, there is a pressing need for students to engage in hands-on learning to acquire the skills, knowledge, and values essential for becoming active, civically engaged citizens capable of addressing community issues they care about. High-quality service-learning imparts academic content while infusing it with meaningful service communities that helps students’ build workforce skills. Research consistently finds that high-quality service-learning programs promote students’ civic knowledge, leadership skills, and commitment to continue contributing to their community and to the broader society. We applaud Senator Kim and Congressman Conaway for their leadership in recognizing the importance of service-learning and how it is a necessary program of the AmeriCorps agency to ensure that Americans of ALL ages have the support they need to serve,”said the Coalition for Service-Learning Steering Committee
Service Starts at Home Act– To encourage and support students’ service in their local communities by creating two grant programs at the Department of Education that support paid internships at county and municipal governments and create a scholarship program for students who complete at least 100 hours of volunteer service.
TheService Starts at Home Actis being introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Herb Conaway (NJ-03).
“Empowering our students and educators with hands-on skills and a deep sense of civic responsibility is crucial to ensuring that our communities across New Jersey and the nation can thrive,”said Congressman Conaway.“I’m proud to introduce the Learn and Serve America Reinvestment Act and the Service Starts at Home Act with my friend Senator Kim. By revitalizing service-learning, internships, and recognition of community contributions, we’re not only enriching education but also strengthening the foundation of our communities. Together, we can cultivate the next generation of engaged, skilled leaders who understand that service truly starts at home.”
Pipeline to Service Act– To encourage and unlock paths for college graduates to enter the federal service by directing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to create pipeline programs with colleges and universities to prepare and assist enrolled students who are interested in public service, particularly from marginalized communities, to better understand and navigate the federal hiring process.
ThePipeline to Service Actis endorsed by Partnership for Public Service.
“To face the challenges of today head-on and prepare for the issues of tomorrow, our federal government needs to recruit and hire the next generation of public servants. We appreciate Senator Kim’s commitment to ensuring that our government has the early career talent necessary to effectively serve the public,”said Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service.
A Chance to Serve Act– To expand and increase opportunities for Americans to serve in AmeriCorps and incentivize and celebrate service by strengthening post-service benefits for AmeriCorps Members and Return Peace Corps Volunteers as they transition into their next jobs and careers. Examples of improved benefits include:
TheA Chance to Serve Actis endorsed by Service Year Alliance and America’s Service Commission and is being introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Horsford (NV-04).
“AmeriCorps members and Peace Corps volunteers make an impact in local communities every day, serving in schools, public health clinics, national parks, and urban gardens — all while building trust with neighbors both at home and abroad. At a time when national service is under threat, the Chance to Serve Act offers a bold vision to expand service, strengthen benefits, and make service years more accessible to young people,”said Kristen Bennett, CEO of Service Year Alliance. “Service Year Alliance is proud to endorse this legislation and grateful for Senator Kim’s leadership in ensuring every young person has the opportunity to serve and every community can benefit.”
“On behalf of State Service Commissions around the country, we applaud Senator Kim for his efforts developing A Chance to Serve Act. Sen. Kim’s legislation would significantly improve and expand AmeriCorps to enable any American to have the opportunity to serve their community. It would also improve the quality of positions offered to members and help get them on a pathway to good-paying jobs after their term of service. We look forward to working with Senator Kim and the US Congress to enact this bill into law,”said Kaira Esgate, CEO, America’s Service Commissions.
“At a time when some in Congress are calling for deep cuts to AmeriCorps, we commend Senator Kim for taking a bold stand in the opposite direction,”said AnnMaura Connolly, President, Voices for National Service.“By introducing legislation to improve AmeriCorps benefits and expand opportunities for more Americans to serve, he is sending a clear message that national service is not disposable—it’s essential. We look forward to working with him on this legislation.”
This legislative package builds on Senator Kim’s commitment to promote and encourage public service and strengthen our democracy. In the Senate, he also introduced theTALENTS Actto codify the PMF Program, which he had personally participated in at the start of his career in public service working in national security and diplomacy at the White House, State Department, and Pentagon. Prior to being elected to the U.S. Senate, Senator Kim represented New Jersey’s 3rdCongressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives where he introduced multiple bills to encourage and uplift service of different forms.

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