Durbin Slams Trump Administration For Eliminating AmeriCorps Funding
In his remarks, Durbin emphasized the impact of eliminating the funding for AmeriCorps programs that help provide health care, education for children, and support after natural disasters
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today delivered a speech on the Senate floor admonishing the Trump Administration’s decision to cruelly eliminate funding forAmeriCorps, a widely-supported program that has strengthened American communities for more than three decades.
“From rebuilding homes, to providing rural health care, tutoring kids after school, cleaning up after natural disasters, AmeriCorps supports our most under-resourced communities. My Republican colleagues represent communities that benefit from AmeriCorps, whose members serve in their states. For decades, AmeriCorps has had bipartisan support, which it deserves,” Durbin said.
“But last week, unfortunately, the Trump Administration pulled the rug out from under these community organizations by eliminating their funding,” Durbin said.
Durbin continued on, speaking about the direct impact that eliminating AmeriCorps funding has had on Illinois, including the Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois, which Durbinvisited last month.
“Organizations like Lessie Bates Davis Neighborhood House in East St. Louis, Illinois, my hometown, provides meals to members of all ages of the East St. Louis community. They were left scrambling after the President’s announcement eliminating AmeriCorps [funding],” Durbin said. “The East St. Louis community is located in a food desert, which means members like Ayshia, who takes care of her grandfather, have come to rely on the center’s food pantry for healthy options.”
“Last month, eight dedicated AmeriCorps members worked in the center’s café to offer a safe place for the community to eat a hot meal. Today, because of Trump’s cuts, the tables are empty,”Durbin said.
“Camille, who is Lessie Bates Davis’ Program Director for AmeriCorps, shared that she has 120 days to close out the program. After that, even she will be left without a job,” Durbin continued.
Durbin also pointed to the Boys and Girls Club in Livingston, Illinois, where a constituent has said that, despite being unpaid because of the funding cuts, he will continue to serve his community.
“Take Lukas, an AmeriCorps volunteer who has worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Livingston, Illinois, providing students with a safe place to learn and to play after school. He won’t get paid because of the Trump cuts, but he plans to continue to volunteer unpaid,” Durbin said.
Durbin concluded his remarks by calling on his Republican colleagues to stand up for AmeriCorps, a program that has enriched the communities they represent.
“I urge my Republican colleagues to fight against this Administration’s senseless attempts to eliminate such small amounts of funding that have such incredible, positive impact in their communities as well as my own. Don’t sit by in silence,” Durbin concluded.
Video of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Audio of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here.
Footage of Durbin’s remarks on the Senate floor is available here for TV Stations.
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