# 119-sres-443: A resolution expressing concern about the growing problem of book banning, and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.

119-sres-443, A resolution expressing concern about the growing problem of book banning, and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States., is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI); status introduced (as of 2026-08-11).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-443
- As of: 2026-08-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-sres-443
- Congress: 119
- Title: A resolution expressing concern about the growing problem of book banning, and the proliferation of threats to freedom of expression in the United States.
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2025-10-08
- Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI] (D-HI)
- Cosponsors: 19
- Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-08-11

## Summary

**This resolution would spotlight a surge in book bans and push to protect the nation's core right to read by calling for restored access, local best practices, and repeal of content‑based Executive orders.** - Students, families, and educators would be urged to keep access to a wide range of books and to follow best practice guidelines. It cites about 6,870 reported instances of book bans impacting 3,751 unique titles between July 2024 and June 2025. - Department of Defense schools and military academies would be asked to return removed books and reverse recent library removals. The text notes at least 596 books removed from DoDEA schools and nearly 400 temporarily pulled from the Naval Academy library. - State and local officials would be called on to protect diverse viewpoints and student learning. Since 2021 the resolution cites nearly 23,000 book bans and says 23 states enacted bans between July 2024 and June 2025. - It also targets federal actions that curtailed grants and reviews, calling for repeal of Executive orders and rescission of directives linked to content or viewpoint restrictions.

## Cosponsors (19)

- Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT] (D-CT), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI] (D-HI), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA] (D-CA), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI] (D-RI), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Fetterman, John [D-PA] (D-PA), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME] (I-ME), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA] (D-MA), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ] (D-NJ), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL] (D-IL), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI] (D-RI), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] (D-OR), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT] (D-VT), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (I-VT), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM] (D-NM), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Alsobrooks, Angela D. [D-MD] (D-MD), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (D-CT), 2025-10-08T00:00:00.000Z
- Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA] (D-GA), 2025-10-09T00:00:00.000Z

## Related bills

- 119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026
- 119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026
- 119-s-1503: Equality Act
- 119-s-2295: Child Care for Working Families Act
- 119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025
- 119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025

## Sources
- [119-sres-443 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-resolution/443)

## Related
- [119-s-5066: Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5066)
- [119-s-5108: Right to IVF Act of 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-5108)
- [119-s-1503: Equality Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-1503)
- [119-s-2295: Child Care for Working Families Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2295)
- [119-s-852: Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-852)
- [119-s-2150: Women’s Health Protection Act of 2025](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-s-2150)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-sres-443 (as of 2026-08-11).