Pramila Jayapal (D-WA)
Expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
A Democratic resolution with 27 Democratic cosponsors · See all 27 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
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
A House resolution is the House speaking for itself: stating a position, honouring someone, or setting its own rules. Adopting it is the whole process. Once the House agrees to it, it is officially the House's word; it is not a law, so the Senate and the President have no part in it.
What this bill would do
This resolution expresses support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries across the United States. It recognizes the essential services libraries provide, such as social service support and community resources. The resolution highlights the need for funding that matches the broad scope of these services. It also seeks to preserve the public's right to access information and resources. Additionally, the text supports a strong union voice for library workers and defends their civil rights.
Yes· 3 of 17
- Scored +9
Would union members be better off under this?
The resolution strongly supports the rights of library workers to organize and collectively bargain.
- Scored +8
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?
The resolution explicitly supports a strong union voice for library workers to organize and collectively bargain.
- Scored +8
Does this protect the individual right to speak freely?
The bill defends the right of library staff to speak out on public concerns and protects the public's access to information without censorship.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Access to Information and Resources: The resolution supports the fundamental right of all citizens to freely access information and resources in their communities (Resolution Text). This is vital for democracy and allows people to learn and debate various ideas.
-
Economic and Educational Support: Libraries serve as economic powerhouses by providing resources to job seekers, small business owners, and those learning new skills (Whereas clauses). This can help individuals improve their livelihoods.
-
Community Safety and Health Services: Library staff provide lifesaving care, such as administering medication for the opioid epidemic, and act as a safe haven for unhoused individuals and families (Whereas clauses).
-
Internet Access: Libraries provide essential internet access for underserved communities who may have no other source of connectivity (Whereas clauses).
-
Protection of Library Workers: The resolution supports the right of library workers to organize, collectively bargain, and exercise their civil rights without fear of intimidation or reprisal (Resolution Text).
-
Funding for Services: By supporting the prioritization of full funding at Federal, State, and local levels, the resolution aims to ensure the continuation and improvement of critical library services (Resolution Text).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Impact of Eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services: The text notes that Executive Order 14238 aims to eliminate this Institute, which would harm the ability of libraries to provide critical resources to millions of people, particularly in rural, Tribal, and underserved communities (Whereas clauses).
-
Unsustainable Working Conditions: The text states that libraries have faced severe funding cuts, which has created unsustainable and frequently unsafe working conditions for library staff (Whereas clauses).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would union members be better off under this? — The resolution strongly supports the rights of library workers to organize and collectively bargain. Would children be better off under this? — The bill highlights the importance of libraries for providing diverse books and educational enrichment for young people. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill advocates for funding to ensure underserved communities have access to internet and social services through libraries. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill highlights the essential role of libraries in serving rural communities. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The resolution notes that libraries provide critical resources to Tribal communities. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The resolution emphasizes the role of libraries in providing learning opportunities for young people.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill describes libraries as providing critical resources for people navigating social services. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill highlights the importance of libraries for serving Tribal and other underserved communities. Does this make housing cost less? — The resolution notes that libraries serve as a safe haven for unhoused individuals and families. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — The text recognizes the role of libraries as a safe haven for unhoused individuals.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — The resolution explicitly supports a strong union voice for library workers to organize and collectively bargain. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill recognizes that libraries provide resources to small business owners.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the individual right to speak freely? — The bill defends the right of library staff to speak out on public concerns and protects the public's access to information without censorship. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The resolution supports the right of library staff to inform the public about their right to access information.
- Education And Technology
- Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The resolution emphasizes that libraries ensure equitable internet access for underserved communities. Does this put more money into public schools? — The bill advocates for the prioritization of full funding for library services, including school libraries.
- Healthcare
- Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The resolution notes that library staff provide lifesaving care by administering medication to treat overdoses during the opioid epidemic.
- 4/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/23/2026
- Submitted in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 25 Cosponsors added.
3 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HRES-328: Expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
- 119-SRES-169: A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
- 119-SRES-688: A resolution expressing support for the staff of public, school, academic, and special libraries in the United States and the essential services those libraries provide to communities, recognizing the need for funding commensurate with the broad scope of social service and community supports provided by libraries, preserving the right of all citizens of the United States to freely access information and resources in their communities, supporting a strong union voice for library workers, and defending the civil rights of library staff.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Lloyd DoggettDemocrat · Texas
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Jared HuffmanDemocrat · California
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
James McGovernDemocrat · Massachusetts
Betty McCollumDemocrat · Minnesota
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Deborah RossDemocrat · North Carolina
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Rashida TlaibDemocrat · Michigan
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey