Bill would expand government service programs
WASHINGTON -- The Senate passed a bill last week to expand government-sponsored service programs, with the goal to triple the number of Americans enrolled in volunteer service.
Senators voted 79-19 to increase the number of AmeriCorps volunteers from 75,000 to 275,000 by boosting educational stipends they receive.
The bill also creates new volunteerism programs focused on education, health care and energy.
Supporters said more community service would make the country a better place, and possibly provide alternatives for people who have lost jobs in the recession. They said it would fulfill President Barack Obama's challenge for Americans to take part in public service.
Critics said the bill would expand government. They also criticized its five-year $5.7 billion cost to encourage more volunteerism.
Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., voted for the bill. Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., voted against it.
LANDS BILL PASSED
The House gave its final approval to the most sweeping conservation effort in years.
A package of bills that was passed 285-140 and sent to the White House sets aside 2 million acres of public land in nine states as federal protected wilderness, and adds more than a thousand miles to the system of wild and scenic rivers.
It also writes into law the National Landscape Conservation System, 27 million acres of scenery that was protected by an administrative order of President Bill Clinton in 2000.
The package was a grouping of almost 170 bills dealing with local trails, parks and other conservation efforts sponsored by individual lawmakers.
Some of the bills had been left over from previous Congresses.
Since it contained a large number of individual bills, the overall measure came with built-in support.
Critics focused mainly on codifying the National Landscape Conservation System into law. They said it could lead to the government restricting public access on some of the lands.
Reps. Shelley Berkley and Dina Titus, both D-Nev., voted for the bill. Rep. Dean Heller, R-Nev., voted against it.
Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760
