Grace Meng (D-NY)
Stamps for Staying Connected Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 5 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Stamps for Staying Connected Act of 2026," directs the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to provide postage stamps to indigent inmates. This provision applies to inmates who lack sufficient funds or postage to mail various items, including legal proceedings. The authority is subject to what is provided in annual appropriations Acts. The Director is also empowered to implement restrictions to prevent abuse, such as unauthorized exchanges. These restrictions may include limits on the number of stamps provided weekly.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Communication and Legal Matters: The bill allows inmates who have no funds or sufficient postage to mail any matter, including mail related to legal proceedings or other items, which could help them stay connected or handle legal issues (Section 2(a)).
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Protection Against Abuse: The Director can implement specific restrictions to prevent inmates from accumulating stamps for unauthorized exchanges, which helps maintain order (Section 2(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Limits on Mail Volume: Under the proposed restrictions, the Director may limit an inmate to no more than 5 stamps each week, which could impact those needing to send more mail, unless it pertains to a legal proceeding or administrative remedy (Section 2(b)(1)).
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Limited Stamp Use: The stamps provided may be restricted strictly to the denomination for first-class, domestic, 1-ounce mailing, which may not cover all types of mail needs (Section 2(b)(2)).
- 8/20/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Yvette ClarkeDemocrat · New York
Sydney Kamlager-DoveDemocrat · California
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey