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.

Sponsor: Pramila Jayapal (Democratic-WA)April 23, 2026

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Introduced

In Committee

Passed One Chamber

Passed Both Chambers

Signed into Law

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

House would reaffirm support for libraries, staff, and public access to information.

This resolution would have the House of Representatives formally support libraries and their staff across the U.S. It would call for more funding for library services and reaffirm the public's right to freely access information. It would also back library workers' rights to organize, bargain, and speak out without fear.

What Would Change

Today, libraries and their staff face significant challenges, including severe funding cuts, 6,870 instances of book bans in school libraries and classrooms during 2024-2025, and threats to vital services, such as the proposed elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. If the House adopts this resolution, it would formally recognize libraries as critical infrastructure. It would also support full funding for their services, and reaffirm the public's fundamental right to information and library workers' rights to organize, bargain, and speak out without intimidation.

Key Provisions

Supports full funding for library services at federal, state, and local levels.
Reaffirms the public's fundamental right to access information.
Reaffirms library workers' right to organize and collectively bargain.
Reaffirms library workers' civil rights to do their jobs without threats or intimidation.
Recognizes library staff's right to speak out on public concerns and inform people about their right to free access to information.
Recognizes libraries and staff as critical infrastructure for the United States.

View on Congress.gov

HRES 1212 · 119th Congress · April 23, 2026 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 9/10

What Would Change

Key Provisions

Lobbying Activity