Chuck Grassley: “in closing let me briefly state my support for the amendment offered by Senator Mikulski on AmeriCorps. While I believe…”

“in closing let me briefly state my support for the amendment offered by Senator Mikulski on AmeriCorps. While I believe the Appropriations Committees has provided sufficient funding for the Corporation, I recognize the desire of the administration and Senator Mikulski to see a small increase in the amount of funds provided by the committee. I believe this amendment is a good compromise that will allow the VA/ HUD bill to proceed and be signed by the President. The amendment contains a sense of the Senate that I have worked on with Senator Kassebaum stating that the President should expeditiously nominate a CFO for the Corporation and that the Corporation should make implementation of financial management reforms a top priority. In meeting with accountants from Arthur Anderson, who conducted the independent audit of the Corporation, they stated that the appointment of a CFO was the single most important thing that needs to be done to begin the effort to get the Corporation's financial house in order. The amendment also allows the Corporation to spend up to $3 million for implementing financial management reforms. Finally, I am pleased that in conjunction with this amendment, the Corporation has agreed that they will set aside $10 million for an education-awards only program that I have advocated. Under this new program, the Corporation will provide only educational awards to young people who perform community service.”