Skip to main content

Rep. Panetta Continues to Push His Legislation to Strengthen Public Service Opportunities

December 12, 2024

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) reintroduced the Inspire to Serve Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at fostering civic engagement, expanding public service opportunities, and strengthening national preparedness. This legislation would implement key recommendations from the bipartisan National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service, established by Rep. Panetta in the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act, to advance America's core principles of service, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.

The rate of formal volunteering in the United States has been declining since at least the 2010s, a trend exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Formal volunteering has reached its lowest rate in nearly three decades, according to the U.S. Census Bureau and AmeriCorps. Meanwhile, nearly half of American adults experience loneliness and isolation, which the U.S. Surgeon General declared an epidemic.

“We need to do a better job highlighting and fortifying public service as one of the pillars of our democracy,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The Inspire to Serve Act would promote and perpetuate public service by providing the necessary federal resources to support local and national resilience and preparedness programs.  My legislation would make it easier for people to give back to our communities, get to know their neighbors, and play an essential part in the foundation of our country.”

The National Commission on Military, National, and Public Service published its final report and recommendations in March 2020.  The Commission called for a ten-year goal for five million Americans to begin participating in military, national, or public service each year and the bipartisan Inspire to Serve Act would implement the Commission’s recommendations including:

  • Increasing National Service Opportunities: Expanding the number of national service positions and improving living allowances and stipends.
  • Fostering Inclusion and Equity: Modernizing personnel policies to provide noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment to national service alumni, and ensuring a diverse and inclusive workforce.
  • Creating New Pathways: Establishing fellowship programs and demonstration projects to mobilize talent for national challenges.
  • Streamlining Service Accessibility: Simplifying outdated processes to make service programs more accessible for all Americans.
  • Strengthening National Preparedness: Bolstering mobilization for future public health crises, natural disasters, or other emergencies.

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02) and Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and is led by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Todd Young (R-IN) under the title, Unity Through Service Act (S.2150).

“Inspiring our nation's youth to serve in either the United States Military or the Federal Government has become an increasingly pressing challenge as we continue to compete with the private sector,” said Rep. Bacon.  “To address this, we must explore and implement innovative incentives to encourage military-aged young Americans to take the leap and serve this great nation. It is our solemn duty to respond to our nation's needs—whether through voluntary enlistment or, if necessary, a draft. The Inspire to Serve Act lays the foundation for motivating Americans to serve, not only in the military but also within the broader framework of Federal Government service.”

“It has been a privilege to serve my country as an engineer in the Air Force, a teacher with TFA and now a member of Congress,” said Rep. Houlahan.  “Each of these experiences has had a profound impact on my worldview, patriotism and empathy for my fellow Americans.  So many Pennsylvanians have told me of their own desire to serve, but lack either the knowledge, resources or access to do so.  Our bipartisan Inspire to Serve Act would help bridge the gap between service opportunities and the countless Americans who want to take advantage of them in some way.” 

###