Federal grants expand book access for underserved children nationwide

What it does

This bill directs the Secretary of Education to create a two-year pilot program awarding competitive grants (up to $200,000 each) to nonprofits and nongovernmental organizations to improve children's access to books through purchasing, distributing, and donating books, hosting literacy events, and related activities. The program is funded at $10 million and requires a report to Congress on outcomes.

Why we flagged it

The bill establishes a straightforward federal grant program to expand children's access to books and literacy programming through nonprofits and community organizations. It is a direct public-benefit investment with no hidden mechanisms or narrow beneficiaries.

What the text implies

• The 'viewpoint-neutral' requirement in subsection (e) may signal an attempt to preempt future challenges regarding book selection or content, though the bill itself does not restrict what books may be distributed.
• Subsection (g) explicitly protects libraries' right to reject donated books, which may be a response to concerns about book-banning or unwanted donations, but the provision itself is protective of institutional autonomy.
• The pilot program's two-year duration and $10M authorization suggest this is a test phase; expansion or continuation would require separate legislation and appropriations.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill expands access to books and literacy programming for children, particularly in underserved communities, at no cost to individual citizens. Nonprofits and libraries gain resources to serve their communities, and children gain direct benefit from improved book access and literacy activities.

Who stands to gain

• nonprofit organizations
• nongovernmental organizations
• public libraries

Named in the bill

Secretary of Education, eligible organizations (nonprofits and NGOs), public libraries, children under 19 years of age

Where it stands

5 cosponsors: 5 Democrats.

• Feb 3, 2026 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Feb 3, 2026 — Referred to House Committee on Education and Workforce · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.

Money around this bill

3 lobbying clients named this bill on 5 disclosure filings across 2 quarters, Dec 2025 to Jun 2026. Those filings disclosed $400,000 in lobbying spend. A filing names 1 bills on average, so that figure is what each filing reported, not a share belonging to this bill.

More lobbying clients named this bill than 61% of bills with at least one filing.

Valerie Foushee, the sponsor, reported $518,550 in PAC receipts in the 2026 cycle.

• Front Line Hospital Alliance — $160,000 on 2 filings
• The Metrohealth System — $150,000 on 1 filing
• Denver Health and Hospital Authority — $90,000 on 2 filings

Lobbying Disclosure Act filings through Jul 10, 2026. A filing shows who paid to lobby on a bill it names, not what changed.