Massachusetts Lawmakers Rally Against AmeriCorps Funding Cuts
In a unified effort, Massachusetts’ U.S. senators and all nine House members have urged the Trump administration to halt drastic cuts to AmeriCorps, a program they describe as a "model for cost-effective public-private partnership." In a letter addressed to President Trump and Jennifer Bastress Tahmasebi, the lawmakers highlighted a $400 million national cut in April, warning that it jeopardizes community services across the state. Specifically, Massachusetts stands to lose $8 million affecting 17 initiatives, including vital environmental projects and community programming.
AmeriCorps, established in 1993, has annually engaged nearly 200,000 participants in various initiatives such as public health and disaster response. U.S. Senator Ed Markey, who spearheaded the letter, emphasized the program’s crucial role in supporting communities and called the funding cuts "devastating." The reductions, ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Elon Musk’s leadership, risk displacing around 6,400 AmeriCorps members serving in over 800 locations in Massachusetts.
David Crowley, president of Social Capital Inc., voiced the impact of these cuts, explaining how abrupt funding loss disrupts youth programming and damages critical relationships built by AmeriCorps members. Meanwhile, Lindsay Rooney of the Massachusetts Service Alliance echoed similar sentiments, stressing that these cuts would leave communities without essential services.
In response to legal challenges against these funding changes, a federal judge recently issued a 14-day restraining order against the restructuring efforts involving AmeriCorps, a move that the Trump administration has since appealed. Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell is also part of a broader legal challenge, asserting that the president lacks the authority to dismantle the congressionally created program.
In their letter, Massachusetts lawmakers are calling for an immediate restoration of AmeriCorps funding and staffing to ensure continued service to the community.
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