The Peace Corps: Current Issues

The Peace Corps: Current Issues

Founded in 1961, the Peace Corps has sought to meet its legislative mandate of promoting world peace and friendship by sending American volunteers to serve at the grassroots level in villages and towns in all corners of the globe. As of end September 2012, about 8,073 volunteers were serving in 76 nations.

In 2013, the 113th Congress will consider the Presidentâ€™s annual funding request for the Peace Corps, efforts to reauthorize the Peace Corps, and related issues. On April 10, 2013, the Administration issued its FY2014 budget request, proposing $378.8 million for the Peace Corps, 6% more than the agencyâ€™s currently estimated FY2013 post-sequester and across-the-board rescission level of $356.0 million.

The last Peace Corps funding authorization (P.L. 106-30), approved in 1999, covered the years FY2000 to FY2003. Authorization legislation offered in the 112th Congress from both the House (H.R. 2583) and Senate (S. 1426) failed to receive floor action.

On November 21, 2011, the Kate Puzey Peace Corps Volunteer Protection Act of 2011 was signed into law (P.L. 112-57). It put into place a number of safeguards to address and reduce the incidence of volunteer rape and sexual abuse.

A comprehensive assessment of Peace Corps operations was published in June 2010. It makes 64 recommendations supporting a six-point strategy that has been adopted by the agency for implementation over the next several years.

Current issues include the extent to which there is available funding for Peace Corps expansion, whether the Peace Corps has the institutional capacity to expand, and whether volunteers are able to function in a safe and secure environment.

This report will be updated as events warrant.
Country USA
Manufacturer Congressional Research Service
Binding Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate 2013-05-10
Format Kindle eBook

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Congressional Research Service
Binding	Kindle Edition
ReleaseDate	2013-05-10
Format	Kindle eBook

The Peace Corps: Current Issues

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