Serve America Act

- Introduced by Senators Ted Kennedy and Orrin Hatch in September 2008
- Signed into law on April 21, 2009CNN: Obama signs national service legislation
- Passed in a Senate committee on March 17, 2009The Salt Lake Tribune: Hatch-Kennedy service bill clears House, Senate Panel (March 18, 2009)
- Senate vote: 78-20 in favor
- House vote: 275-149 in favor
- A similar bill, the Give Act (HR-1388), was passed in the House the same day with a vote of 321 to 105Fox News: House Passes Volunteerism Bill Critics Call Pricey, Forced Service (March 18, 2009)
- Would expand the government program AmeriCorpsThe Salt Lake Tribune: Hatch-Kennedy service bill clears House, Senate Panel (March 18, 2009)
- AmeriCorps is a government program for national and community service
- Will increase the number of service volunteers
- Will create several new programs of AmeriCorps
- Will allow older AmeriCorps volunteers to pass of the educational benefits of AmeriCorp to their children or grandchildrenSalt Lake City Tribune: Senate passes Kennedy-Hatch service bill (March 26, 2009)
- Cost: About $5 billion over the next five yearsThe Salt Lake Tribune: Hatch-Kennedy service bill clears House, Senate Panel (March 18, 2009)
- The Red Cross praised the signing of the actPR Newswire: Red Cross Praises Signing of Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act (April 21, 2009)

The Serve America Act passed Congress on March 31, 2009, and was signed into law by President Barack Obama on April 21, 2009.CNN: Obama signs national service legislation The measure was approved by the U.S. Senate on March 26, 2009, and cleared the House by a vote of 275-149 5 days later.
The bill expanded federally sponsored volunteer programs and promoted public service. Obama has praised it as a way to help more young Americans afford college.Salt Lake City Tribune: Senate passes Kennedy-Hatch service bill (March 26, 2009) It has been named the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in honor of its co-sponsor.
AmeriCorps

Americorps is a government program which works together with non-profit organizations and offers volunteer opportunities for Americans. Some participants are awarded with money to pay for college, graduate school or student loans.
The Give Act

The Give Act is similar to the Serve America Act. It was passed by the House on March 17, 2009. The Give Act is expected to cost about $6 billion over the next five years and was sponsored by Carolyn McCarthy and George Miller.Fox News: House Passes Volunteerism Bill Critics Call Pricey, Forced Service (March 18, 2009)
Some Components of the Act

The Serve America Act and the Give Act would both allow high school students to receive academic credit for community service, and offer community service programs for middle and high school students during summer breaks. It would increase the awards for participants and the number of volunteers.Stamford Plus: Dodd's service for all ages initiative included in national service Bill (March 19, 2009)