The GOP-led House Committee on Education and Workforce is calling for an investigation into whether Americaorps’ mistakes would pass $144 million from the Biden-era American rescue plan to $144 million after Congress attempted to regain its funds.
The Watchdog of Americaorps, one of the federal government’s largest civil servant organizations, had raised concerns about millions, but the agency argued that it was obligated to spend money to head for further review.
Currently, Board of Education Chairman Tim Wahlberg (R-Mich.) is calling on the government’s Office of Accountability (GAO) to investigate.
“In light of the General’s analysis of Inspector General, I am concerned that Americaorps may have inappropriately recorded grant obligations, withdrawn ARP funds, and violated anti-resolution or other financial laws.”
“Unfortunately, as evident from eight consecutive failed audits, the lack of financial accountability has been a long-standing problem for Americaorps. This has to do with me.”
Last week, most Americanorps staff took administrative leave following reviews from Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Post previously reported that the National Civil Community Corps (NCCC), a volunteer for the Youth Program, was suddenly sent home earlier this month.
An estimated 15% of Americanorps staff were still active, Reported by the Associated Press.
Americorps had a budget of over $1.2 billion in fiscal year 2024 and had more than 500 full-time federal staff. According to the website.
The agency received a total of $1 billion from the Biden administration’s $1.9 trillion Covid-19 stimulus package in 2021, the US Rescue Plan. Two years later, Congress was to reclaim untouched money as part of a deal to raise debt restrictions.
The Americanorps Office of Inspector General was not convinced that $144 million was due to Ironclad’s obligations after the Congressional clawback.
“The inspector points out that obligations made after funds have been revoked could constitute a violation of the Anti-Efficiency Act, highlighting that ambiguity about appropriate obligations and recording dates will create potentially “inaccurate … annual financial statements” that will be provided to Congress and the public,” Warburg said.
The anti-substantial law prohibits the Fed from making payments beyond what Congress approved.
Americaorps refused to seek GAO’s investigation into concerns raised by WatchDog, claiming that “practices are in compliance with all relevant laws and policies,” Wahlberg said.
The Washington fiscal Hawks have long been skeptical of Americaorps.
a 2017 Inspector’s Report The service volunteers concluded that between 2012 and 2013, they provided “4-8 times more than the same service” costs from other programs.
“Each member’s 10-month service costs $29,674 (2014) for a public university tuition, room and board for more than one year. In total, four individuals can earn a two-year community college degree,” the report states.
“Even so, despite this substantial investment, NCCC graduates have not achieved better long-term results than graduates from the Americanorps program, which cost just a small portion of that amount.”
