Third Time the Charm for Roosevelt Scholars?
A proposal to create the Roosevelt Scholars Program -- sort of a civilian ROTC program to encourage college students to pursue careers in government through scholarships and stipends -- has been introduced in the Senate by George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and Kristen Gillibrand, D-N.Y.
Congress has twice stalled on the legislation, which would give up to $60,000 per year in scholarship money for those who pledge to pursue "mission critical" occupations within the government after graduation. In 2008, Rep. David Price, D-N.C., introduced it as a stand-alone bill, and in March of this year Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., offered it as an amendment to a larger bill. Neither efforts received a vote.
Price and Rep. Michael Castle, R-Del., again introduced the bill, H.R. 3510 this July, and it is currently before three House committees.
In one key area, the Voinovich/Gillibrand version will go further than the legislation in the House. Although the language of the bill hasn't yet been revealed, according to Voinovich's comments when he introduced the measure, it would cover both undergraduate and graduate students. Price's version in the House would only help fund graduate studies.
The Partnership for Public Service has long been an advocate of the legislation. Earlier this year, the Partnership released a study claiming that the government's efforts to protect cyberspace were hindered by a lack of available experts. The goal of this program would not only be to make sure that the government gets more of the talented and well-educated professionals and technicians out there--it would also help grow more of those people at the ground level.
"The only way our nation can fill these jobs with top talent is to raise our game in recruiting and investing in our federal workforce," the organization said in a released statement.