Delaware Attorney Kathy Jennings, alongside a group of 23 fellow attorneys general and two governors, reached a settlement preventing President Donald Trump's administration from once again disassembling AmeriCorps out of the blue.
The settlement resolves a lawsuit filed by the attorneys general of California, Colorado and neighbor state Maryland, which was the result of administrative leaders' numerous attempts to gut this and similar volunteer service programs across the country.
Many organizations rely on AmeriCorps and programs like it to address the needs of communities across the country. In Delaware, AmeriCorps members and volunteers have supported programs centered on literacy, housing and youth empowerment, to name a few.
This announcement comes a year after Delaware co-led several states in a triumphant lawsuit that protected AmeriCorps and similar programming from federal-level cuts.
This resulted in the U.S. Office of Management and Budget releasing over $184 million that was previously withheld from the program, including more than $1.1 million in funding for programs across the First State.
As per settlement terms, AmeriCorps has agreed to notify the coalition of any changes regarding volunteer services delivery or if they intend to suspend grants, dismiss service members simultaneously or make any more reductions beyond prearranged cuts via "written notice at least 30 days in advance," as well as which authority gives them the right to make this change, according to a press release issued Sept. 10.
The program must also contribute considerably to the entirety of its fiscal year 2026 funding by Sept. 30 and administer its National Civilian Community Corps and VISTA programming, without disrupting the terms of service with members of either program.
This settlement also pauses litigation until Feb. 1. At that point, coalition members will dismiss the case if AmeriCorps has complied with these obligations.
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If not, litigation could resume.
For Jennings, this marks "a massive win" for Delawareans.
"The president's effort to gut AmeriCorps was an illegal, unjustifiable, and cruel act – and now, it is over," Jennings said in a statement issued Sept. 10. "The terms of this settlement allow us to secure funding for these critical community programs into the future, and they give us the ability to head back to court if the Trump Administration goes back on their commitment."
This announcement also comes less than a week before Delaware's primary election day. Jennings, alongside challengers Dwayne Bensing and Patty Rickman, will duke it out for the Democratic party's nomination on Sept. 15.
Olivia Montes covers state government and community impact for Delaware Online/The News Journal. If you have a tip or a story idea, reach out to her at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware AG, other states secure settlement for AmeriCorps