This House Resolution expresses support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries across the United States and the essential services they provide to communities. It recognizes libraries as critical infrastructure and supports prioritizing full funding for their services at federal, state, and local levels. The resolution also reaffirms the public's right to access information, the right of library workers to organize and collectively bargain, and their civil rights to perform their duties without intimidation.
The Books Save Lives Act requires public libraries and schools receiving federal funding to maintain diverse book collections that include works by and about members of underrepresented communities. It mandates that covered schools employ trained librarians and establishes that excluding books with a disparate impact on underrepresented groups serves as initial evidence of discrimination under existing civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to produce a report within 180 days on how recent book ban campaigns have affected underrepresented communities. The legislation defines underrepresented communities to include racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.
This bill, known as the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2026, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand federal funding for arts and music programs in public schools. It requires that schools receiving federal education funds provide sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified educators, including dance, theater, visual arts, and music. The legislation also allows schools designated for targeted assistance to use federal funds to support arts and music programs that address students' academic needs, covering costs for supplies, instruments, and teacher training. These changes directly affect public schools and school districts that receive funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
The Open Books, Open Doors Act (S. 4028) establishes a new federal grant program to improve access to literacy materials and programs, particularly in underserved communities. The bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to organizations serving 'book deserts' - areas where children have limited access to books and reading resources - with at least 70% of funds going to partners in low-income neighborhoods, including community centers, libraries, and local businesses. Grants can support activities like purchasing books, establishing neighborhood libraries, eliminating library late fees, and implementing evidence-based literacy programs that involve families. The legislation also creates a Federal Clearinghouse on Book Access to share research and best practices, requires grantees to match federal funds with local contributions, and mandates regular reporting on program outcomes.
HR 2585, the Armenian Genocide Education Act, establishes a federal program through the Library of Congress to develop educational resources about the 1915-1923 Armenian Genocide for K-12 schools. It requires the Librarian to create and distribute accurate teaching materials, provide teacher training workshops, and maintain an online resource hub focused on the genocide's history, lessons, and prevention of hate. The program directly supports local educational agencies, independent schools, and educators by offering professional development and curriculum resources. It defines key terms like "denial" and "distortion" to guide the educational content, aiming to improve understanding of this historical event and its relevance to preventing modern-day hate crimes.
HR 1886, the Affordable College Textbook Act, creates a federal grant program to help colleges develop and adopt free digital textbooks (open educational resources), directly reducing costs for students. It requires colleges to publicly disclose textbook prices and indicate if materials are open textbooks on course schedules, while mandating accessibility standards for digital resources. The bill funds faculty training, quality reviews, and research on open textbook effectiveness, with grants prioritizing projects that maximize student savings and expand adoption across institutions. It aims to lower textbook costs - averaging $1,290 annually per student - by incentivizing the creation of freely accessible, high-quality digital course materials.
# Summary of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
This is a comprehensive federal appropriations bill that allocates funding for multiple government agencies, with significant restrictions on how those funds may be used. The bill is structured into four main titles:
## Key Components
1. **Title I: Health and Human Services Appropriations** - Contains detailed funding allocations for:
- Public health programs
- Social Security Administration
- Medicaid and CHIP programs
- Various health research and services
- Specific restrictions on abortion funding (sections 506-508)
2. **Title II: Department of Education Appropriations** - Funds for:
- Higher education programs
- K-12 education initiatives
- Career and technical education
- Student financial assistance
- Prohibitions on certain gender-related policies (section 312)
3. **Title III: Related Agencies** - Includes funding for:
- Corporation for National and Community Service ("America First Corps")
- Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled
- Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
- Various other independent agencies
4. **Title IV: General Provisions** - Contains numerous restrictions on fund usage, including:
## Notable Restrictions and Prohibitions
- **Abortion restrictions** (sections 506-508): Prohibits funding for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or life endangerment
- **Research restrictions** (section 508): Bans funding for human embryo research
- **Prohibitions on Critical Race Theory** (section 534): Bans funding for programs promoting Critical Race Theory
- **Restrictions on diversity initiatives** (section 535): Prohibits funding for programs teaching concepts related to systemic racism
- **Executive order prohibitions** (sections 532-533): Prohibits implementation of various climate-related executive orders
- **Restrictions on transgender policies** (section 311): Prohibits funds for educational institutions allowing males to participate in women's athletic programs
- **Restrictions on certain international collaborations** (sections 537, 540): Prohibits funding for certain Chinese research institutions
- **Prohibitions on certain technology procurement** (section 541): Bans purchasing from companies with Chinese ownership stakes
The bill also includes:
- Rescission of $12.8 billion from the Child Enrollment Contingency Fund (section 528)
- Rescission of $183 million from various American Rescue Plan Act funds (section 529)
- Specific requirements for reporting on fund usage and contract awards
- Restrictions on flag display at federal facilities (section 531)
This appropriations bill represents a highly restrictive approach to federal funding, with numerous specific limitations on how money can be spent across multiple government agencies.
The Adult Education WORKS Act establishes "college and career navigators" who provide personalized guidance to help individuals access education, job training, and workforce development services. These navigators help people identify career paths, connect to financial aid, and develop digital literacy and information literacy skills needed for success in education and employment. The bill requires state and local workforce boards to collaborate with adult education providers to promote these navigator positions and authorizes $135 million annually for library-based and community-based navigator programs. It updates definitions to include digital and information literacy skills as essential components of adult education. The bill directly affects adult education providers, workforce development systems, and individuals seeking to improve their job skills or educational opportunities.
The Adult Education WORKS Act creates a new role for "college and career navigators" who help adults access workforce development programs, postsecondary education, and career services. It requires states and local workforce boards to promote the employment of these navigators in one-stop centers, with $135 million authorized for library-based and community-based programs starting in 2026. The bill emphasizes developing digital literacy and information literacy skills as core components of adult education, and includes new performance metrics to track outcomes related to these skills. This legislation directly affects adult education programs, workforce development systems, and the individuals seeking career advancement through these services.
# Summary of the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026
This comprehensive appropriations bill allocates funding for the fiscal year 2026 to the Department of Labor, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Department of Education, and several related agencies. The bill contains numerous specific funding allocations, restrictions, and procedural requirements.
Key elements include:
1. **Major Funding Areas**:
- HHS receives significant funding for programs including Medicaid, CHIP, Social Security, and public health initiatives
- Education receives substantial funding for student financial assistance, career and technical education, and research
- Related agencies receive funding for programs like the Corporation for National and Community Service and the Social Security Administration
2. **Key Restrictions**:
- Prohibits using funds for abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or to save a woman's life (Section 506-507)
- Bans funding for embryonic research or creation of human embryos for research (Section 508)
- Prohibits funding for advocacy of drug legalization (Section 509)
- Requires transparency in reporting how federal funds are used (Section 505)
- Prohibits using funds for propaganda or political activities (Section 503)
3. **Specific Provisions**:
- Requires detailed reporting to Congress about fund usage (Sections 516-517)
- Mandates notification to Congress before reprogramming funds (Section 514)
- Includes numerous rescission provisions that cancel previously appropriated funds
- Contains specific requirements for managing federal contracts and grants
- Establishes restrictions on using funds for certain types of research or activities
4. **Notable Funding Amounts**:
- $24.6 billion for Student Financial Assistance
- $49.4 billion for the Supplemental Security Income Program
- $14.7 billion for Social Security Administration administrative expenses
- $3.2 billion for Higher Education programs
- $2.1 billion for Career, Technical, and Adult Education
The bill represents a comprehensive funding package with specific constraints on how funds may be used, reflecting ongoing policy debates about government spending priorities in health, education, and social services.
