Farr Legislation Provides "Head Start" on MorePeaceCorps Day of Action

Getting pumped for the National Day of Action on March 3rd?  There will be a lot to do on that day (and in the days that follow) if we want to maximize our impact.

So...How about getting a head start on taking action?

RPCV Congressman Sam Farr (D-CA) has introduced House Bill 1066, the "Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009" which proposes robust funding for the Peace Corps over the next three years.  The other three RPCVs in the House, Mike Honda (D-CA), Tom Petri (R-WI) and Steve Driehaus (D-OH) are all original co-sponsors of the bill.  That's not all.  Congressman Farr worked the House floor and picked up 37 other original co-sponsors!

"This is a great step forward for our MorePeaceCorps Campaign, and a great buildup to our day of action", said NPCA President Kevin Quigley.  "This funding legislation will help show support to our new President, so he can realize his goal of doubling Peace Corps by the 50th anniversary in 2011."

Here's what you can do to take action:  Check and see if your Congressman/woman is already a co-sponsor.  Then, call the toll-free number for the Capitol switchboard (877-851-6437) and ask to be connected to your representative's office.  Leave this message:

"I am a big supporter of the Peace Corps and ask that Congressman/woman _____ becomes a co-sponsor of House Bill 1066, the Peace Corps Expansion Act of 2009."

(Of course, if your rep is already a co-sponsor, call to say thank you!)

Please note this is a House action only!  Don't call your Senators on this one.

But stand by...More action with your Senators and Reps coming on March 3rd...13 days away!

Comments

[DEW]

The goal is 1000 volunteers through PEPFAR and that funding for hiring volunteers is separate and voted on outside the US government budget. The regular Peace Corps budget is not as important as the five year PEPFAR hiring and funding PC budget. This is allot like 10,000 by 2000.

[DEW]

This is the same bill from last year that wasn't passed with the US government budget. The five year PEPFAR sustainable 'emergency' US budget was passed just before the Presidential election and is outside the US government budget. This is the budget that funds hundreds of volunteers.

The bill doubles the allowance, but it's still poverty money and since Clinton, Bush and Obama have asked the number of volunteers be doubled; the budget is the only thing that doubles. We need cut the $45,000 a year support cost and increase the pay beyond a poverty wage to maybe 50% of the support cost.

The three years is effectively the five years if the budget had passed. This is where the PC budget has shifted to; a PEPFAR five year funded budget to hire volunteers. So, PC is really on a five year budget and will probably be moving there because of the problems passing the US government budget and hiring volunteers. It may also be outside the regular budget like PEPFAR and voted on every four years before the elections.

The sustainable 'emergency' budget doubling will increase the cost of volunteer way beyond the 45,000 a year. Congress will end up giving this money to NGOs who are more efficient. For example, $45,000 a year goes a long way at an NGO from PEPFAR or hiring their own volunteer. PC is too expensive and the money can be better spent at NGOs. This is where the new doubled budget is taking PC.