FYI: A leading House appropriator said yesterday that he intends to block a Senate bill providing emergency funding to stave off drastic cuts to the AmeriCorps programs next year. New York Rep. James Walsh, who chairs the House subcommittee that oversees AmeriCorps and has long been a supporter of the program, said the federal agency that runs it “has been sadly plagued by poor management and weak financial oversight by program managers in Washington since its inception” and must be held accountable, according to Congressional Quarterly. The Senate Appropriations Committee swiftly approved a $100 million infusion of extra funds for AmeriCorps yesterday. Concerns about the program erupted this spring, as federal auditors questioned the stability of the program’s scholarship fund, citing financial mismanagement. The troubled program recently announced that it would fund thousands fewer volunteers next year as a result. [7/11/03]