Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is among the signatories of the letter sent to Trump, dated Tuesday, making a case for continued support for AmeriCorps and other such programs. Republicans sign letter urging Trump not to cut AmeriCorps funding

A group of Republican donors and former elected officials is urging President Donald Trump not to cut funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service, which administers AmeriCorps, the public service work program for young people.

Former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is among the signatories of the letter sent to Trump, dated Tuesday, making a case for continued support for AmeriCorps and other such programs.


Noting media reports that the administration is considering cutting them from the budget, the letter argues that the programs save taxpayers money through their use of public-private partnerships. They also provide key services like disaster relief and support for veterans and military families, the signatories noted, while “breed[ing] strong citizens and a strong homeland.”

“As Republicans, we support the critical goal of eliminating government waste,” the authors wrote. “But as conservatives who believe in the unifying, patriotic values of national service, we urge you to support the Corporation for National and Community Service.”

The other signatories of the letter, signed on Voices for National Service letterhead, include Ron Kaufman, a former White House political director under George H.W. Bush and an adviser to Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign, and former Rep. Chris Gibson of New York.