- Record: Extensions of Remarks
- Section type: Floor speeches
- Chamber: House
- Date: August 3, 2026
- Congress: 119th Congress
- Why this source matters: Extensions of Remarks are statements submitted for the official record, even if they were not spoken live on the floor.
INTRODUCTION OF THE PROMOTING NATIONAL SERVICE AND REDUCING
UNEMPLOYMENT ACT
HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON
of the district of columbia
in the house of representatives
Monday, August 3, 2026
Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Promoting National Service and Reducing Unemployment Act to address one of the greatest workforce tragedies—our unemployed young people—by adding 500,000 new members to AmeriCorps. Youth unemployment is harming our young people and costing our country billions of dollars each year in lost productivity and tax revenue, among other costs. Although the total unemployment rate has reached a relative low (4.2 percent), the youth unemployment rate is 10.8 percent. These young people have not had a fair chance to use the high school or college education we strongly urged them to obtain.
unemployed youth to earn a stipend, obtain work experience, and provide valuable public service. AmeriCorps participants receive a living allowance and are also eligible for an education award equal to the value of a Pell Grant, school-loan forbearance, health care benefits, and childcare assistance.
AmeriCorps State and National member is 200 percent of the federal poverty line and would not allow for a decrease in that amount, as is allowed under current law. AmeriCorps members serve their country and gain skills, but we should increase the minimum wage for everyone, including national service members.
stubborn forms of unemployment need to be targeted in order to be effective. Without significant targeting, many young people will continue to face their first years as adults without jobs and with no way to acquire necessary work experience. Young people deserve a better start in life as adults.
I urge my colleagues to support this bill.