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119-s-5318119th CongressWALLET

Summer Meals and Learning Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a federal grant program to keep school libraries open at summer meal sites and fund summer early reading programs. It focuses on prekindergarten through 3rd grade students who are reading below grade level or at risk of doing so.

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  • Families and students: Eligible sites must offer summer reading programs of at least 6 weeks in school libraries and give PreK-3 students access to books and literacy activities. A site is eligible only if at least 50% of its PreK-3 students are reading below or are at risk of reading below grade level.
  • Libraries and community partners: Grants must keep school libraries accessible during summer meal service and fund partnerships, staff training, and program materials to deliver literacy activities at those sites.
  • States and local educational agencies (LEAs): The Secretary of Education would award competitive grants to State library administrative agencies (SLAAs) that subgrant LEAs, with priorities for high-need LEAs and awards based on sites and students served. The program authorizes $5.0 million per year for fiscal years 2027–2031.

*Authorizes $5.0 million annually for 2027-2031, totaling $25.0 million; if appropriated, this would increase federal spending by that amount.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Federal grants for summer reading

This bill would create a competitive federal grant program to keep school libraries open at summer meal sites. It would authorize $5,000,000 each year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. The Department of Education would award grants to State library agencies. Those state agencies would be required to give subgrants to local school districts to run summer early reading programs.

Which schools and programs qualify

This bill would let a district get subgrants only if a school serves summer lunch through federal meal programs and at least 50% of its preK–3 students are below or at risk of grade-level reading. Funded programs would run at least six weeks in the summer and give students access to the school library, literacy instruction, and expanded learning activities. Local district subgrant applications would have to list each lunch site, show the student-to-site ratios, describe the program, and explain community partner roles. Subgrant money could pay partners, program activities, and staff hiring and training to run the summer reading programs.

State selection and reporting rules

This bill would require State library agencies to apply to the Department of Education and explain how they will pick and notify local districts for subgrants. State applications must include priorities, minimum library hours, and plans to favor districts with high student-to-site need. State agencies and local districts that get grants would have to file yearly reports to the Secretary describing sites, students served, hours of library access, program activities, and progress toward reading goals.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]

OR • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]

    CT • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Luján, Ben Ray [D-NM]

    NM • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

  • Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]

    OR • D

    Sponsored 8/6/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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