Charity advocates heaped praise Friday on House passage of a $2 trillion bill that would sharply expand the nation’s social safety net while boosting funding for national service programs.
The House passed the bill, 220 to 213, with no Republicans voting for it. The bill faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where Democratic centrists have expressed concerns that the bill would increase inflation, although the Biden administration counters that it would suppress inflation because it includes tax increases on the wealthy.
The bill would provide $15.2 billion over eight years for AmeriCorps, including $6.9 billion to fund up to 300,000 positions for a proposed new Civilian Climate Corps, according to Voices for National Service, a group that lobbies for expanded national service programs.
The Climate Corps would “help with wildfire remediation, disaster response and preparedness, environmental conservation, a transition to green energy infrastructure and more,” according to Voices for National Service.
Climate Corps activities would also be funded at other agencies, and the total governmentwide commitment to the Climate Corps would be $30 billion, according to Voices for National Service.
The funding is “a recognition of the tremendous impact AmeriCorps members have made on the front lines serving our communities and tackling our toughest challenges,” said AnnMaura Connolly, president of Voices for National Service.
Over all, the bill allocates $550 million to respond to and combat climate change, mostly in the form of investments and tax credits for renewable energy.
According to the New York Times, the bill also includes more than $109 billion over six years for universal preschool, $273 billion over six years for child care, $150 billion for home health care, and $166 billion for housing programs , and $205 billion to provide up to four weeks of paid parental, sick, or care-giving leave.
The legislation also includes funding for a variety of other health programs, work-force development, Pell Grants, and other assistance to needy families.
“We’re encouraged the Build Back Better Act supports key civic infrastructure priorities, including the Civilian Climate Corps, affordable child care and housing, and work-force development,” Dan Cardinali, CEO of Independent Sector, said in a statement after House passage of the bill. “These investments will help all of our communities become stronger and healthier.”
Independent Sector advocates for policies that benefit foundations and nonprofits.
Meanwhile, the infrastructure bill that President Biden signed into law on Monday includes $50 million for nonprofits to make green upgrades to their facilities. The provision allows nonprofits to get federal grants of up to $200,000 for improvements such as new windows, heating and cooling system upgrades, new lighting, and renewable energy upgrades such as solar panels.
“Nonprofit facilities are an important piece of the puzzle in creating energy efficiency,” Elana Broitman, senior vice president for public affairs at the Jewish Federations of North America said in a statement.
