Chuck Grassley: “I want to talk about the Senate's appropriation for the Corporation for National Service. In particular, I want to talk…”

“I want to talk about the Senate's appropriation for the Corporation for National Service. In particular, I want to talk about the appropriation for AmeriCorps. The program is not yet out of the woods. Though the program may be funded, the Senate should do so only with continued and close scrutiny. I have been one of the most outspoken critics of the President's AmeriCorps Program. It has begun reform, but still needs more time to succeed. AmeriCorps has former Senator Harris Wofford as its new chief executive officer. He has approached me for assistance in helping the program to succeed. Senator Wofford has assured me that he is attempting to reform the program. I think that the program deserves that chance. It is a high priority for the President, and I believe that a President should have the benefit of the doubt on his highest priorities. However, this program still needs to meet the tough standards that the President set. Frankly, AmeriCorps has not yet met those standards.”