House Approves Amended Version of National-Service Bill

The House of Representatives today adopted the Senate version of a bill to expand the country’s national-service programs, the final legislative action needed before the legislation goes to President Obama.

On a vote of 275-149, the House approved the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, H.R. 1388, which amended a bill the House had passed earlier.

President Obama, who has championed the legislation, is expected to sign it sometime after he returns from his overseas trip next week.

Rep. George Miller, Democrat of California, one of the bill’s chief sponsors, said the new volunteers who are authorized by the bill would help Americans weather the economic crisis.

“Our public needs are growing while our resources for meeting them are disappearing,” he said before the vote. “This bill will help meet some of those urgent needs.”

For more information about the Serve America Act’s content, see The Chronicle’s coverage of the Senate vote on the main bill and on amendments on nonprofit advocacy, management help for small charities, and the charitable deduction.