ICYMI: Future Forum and YouthInGov Coalition Applaud Victories for Young Americans In Government Funding Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Future Forum Caucus and leading youth coalition, YouthInGov, applauded the passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023. The legislation included language suggested by the Future Forum Caucus based on YouthInGov's proposal in support of creating an Office of Young Americans within the Executive Office of the President and the Office of Management and Budget conducting an assessment on Young Americans' inclusion in the federal government.

"We are thrilled to see Congress step up to ensure young people have more opportunities to participate in our democracy. By creating an Office of Young Americans in the Executive Office of the President, young people will be able to bring their needs to the forefront and advocate for necessary resources. We're also looking forward to seeing the results of the inclusion assessment as it will help us increase young Americans' engagement with our federal agencies. As always, our goal is to ensure that young Americans from all backgrounds have the opportunity to serve their communities through government service and are fully represented in all rooms where decisions are made," said Future Forum Co-Chairs Colin Allred, Haley Stevens, and Darren Soto.

"If we want our government to implement the best policy for our nation's future, we must include and center those who have the biggest stake in our future: Young Americans. On issues from gun violence to climate change to reproductive rights and the economy, we have unique perspectives that are invaluable to shaping how government works and who makes and implements our laws. We are excited to see Congress and The White House take major steps toward enacting two key components of our proposal with the Consolidated Appropriations Act. Young Americans have again and again shown up for democracy, and our success working in partnership with Future Forum on this is just further proof of concept that we are ready, eager, able, and equipped to finally have a voice in government," said the Youth In Gov Coalition.

Specifically, the two provisions included are:

Office of Young Americans — The independent office within the Executive Office of the President would be dedicated to issues that substantially impact young Americans. Such an office would provide youth-centered perspectives and advice to the President, develop strategic national policies to address issues affecting youth in the United States, and manage government-wide efforts to ensure the needs of the nation's youth are met and resources are provided to continue the advancement of future generations of leaders, which is critical to the economic health and national security of the United States.

Young Americans Inclusion Assessment — Millennials became the largest generation in America in 2020, representing 22 percent of the population, but only 8.1 percent of the federal workforce is under the age of 30. To improve representation in our democracy and to benefit the next generation of leaders, the provision directs OMB to conduct an assessment on young Americans' inclusion across the federal government. Within 270 days of enactment of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, OMB shall report on methods for assessing whether agency policies, actions, and personnel are inclusive of young American stakeholders and provide recommendations on how to increase young Americans' inclusion and meaningful engagement in each federal agency.

For the report language itself on the included provision, please clickhere.

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