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HR7327119th CongressWALLET

Empowering Young Readers Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

Introduced

Summary

Boldly expands children\'s book access by creating a competitive pilot grants program run by the Secretary of Education that would fund nonprofits to buy and distribute books and run family literacy events. The pilot aims to get more books into the hands of kids and support local literacy programming.

Show full summary
  • Families and children: Grants could fund buying and delivering new or used books, hosting reading hours, book fairs, and other literacy programming that serves children under 19.
  • Nonprofit organizations: Eligible applicants are nongovernmental or nonprofit organizations. Grants would be up to $200,000 each and last 2 years.
  • Public libraries: Libraries would still be able to refuse donations from grant recipients if they choose.
  • Accountability and data: The Secretary must report to Congress after the pilot ends with qualitative program details, the number of books distributed, and, if available, information on changes in child literacy in served communities.

*Would authorize $10.0 million for FY2026, available through FY2027, increasing federal spending by that amount.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants to get books to kids

If enacted, the bill would require the Secretary of Education to set up a competitive pilot within 180 days to give grants to nongovernmental or nonprofit groups. Grants would pay to buy or acquire books, distribute books, donate books to public libraries, and run reading events for children under 19. Each grant would be for up to $200,000 and last 2 years. The bill would authorize $10,000,000 for fiscal year 2026, available through fiscal year 2027, to run the pilot. Applicants would need to show past book-access work, a detailed plan, and a community leader's support letter, and the Department would review applications using viewpoint-neutral criteria. The Secretary would report to Congress after the final grants end and libraries could still refuse donations.

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Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Rep. Foushee, Valerie P. [D-NC-4]

NC • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 2/3/2026

  • Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-37]

    TX • D

    Sponsored 2/10/2026

  • Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2]

    NC • D

    Sponsored 3/12/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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