Congress Increases AmeriCorps’ Budget

Congress has approved a $25-million increase in federal funds for the AmeriCorps national-service program for the new fiscal year, which started October 1.

That was welcome news to a program that faced the threat of a $200-million cut under the House of Representatives’ original proposal.

The deal worked out by Congress — if approved by President Clinton, as expected — would set the budget for AmeriCorps and related programs at $425.5-million. Mr. Clinton had requested $549-million.

All of the increase over last year’s budget would be earmarked for “America Reads,” the President’s plan to recruit and train one million literacy tutors.

“Though the results of this process are less than the Administration requested, it is still good news, particularly because $25-million is targeted to literacy and mentoring activities,” said Harris Wofford, chief executive officer of the Corporation for National Service, which administers AmeriCorps.