Summary
U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce recently advanced House Resolution 7661. Sponsored by Rep. Mary E. Miller (R-IL), the bill aims to block federal education funds from supporting any program or material deemed “sexually oriented” for minors. Opponents point out that the bill specifically targets transgender youth and characters representing them. Advocates can take action by supporting HR 6440, the Right to Read Act, and by organzing their communities to stand up against book bans.
On March 19, Publisher’s Weekly reported that the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce moved forward with House Resolution (HR) 7661. As recorded on congress.gov, the stated purpose of this bill, sponsored by Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) is as follows:
“To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to prohibit the use of funds provided under such Act to develop, implement, facilitate, host, or promote any program or activity for, or to provide or promote literature or other materials to, children under the age of 18 that includes sexually oriented material, and for other purposes.”
What is the problem with this bill?
Known as “Stop the Sexualization of Children Act” by supporters, the bill’s sponsors say it will safeguard children from inappropriate reading material by withholding funds from school systems in violation. This means that federal aid meant to improve academic outcomes for disadvantaged students, including those at Title 1 schools, could be arbitrarily withdrawn under the bill’s vague language.
The Author’s Guild points out that language used in the bill specifically targets books containing transgender characters. “Any coming-of-age story, memoir, or picture book that includes a character who is transgender or merely questions their gender would be off-limits.”
Who is speaking out against HR 7661?
Many groups have voiced oppostion to the bill, including the Author’s Guild, Book Riot, School Library Journal, Literary Hub, and the American Library Association (ALA). AL A President Sam Helmick issued this March 18 statement:
“Parents, not politicians, should guide their children’s reading. In our school, campus, and public libraries, materials are selected by trained literacy professionals who understand child development and community needs. Their work is grounded in one clear purpose: helping young people become lifelong readers.
“H.R. 7661 isn’t fundamentally about protecting kids. It’s about giving politicians broad authority to restrict whose stories are allowed on our shelves. That should concern anyone who believes in the freedom to read and the right of families to make decisions for themselves.”
What can we do?
Are you concerned about the advancement of HR 7661? The ALA asks you to call your representatives. Tell them you support HR 6440, the Right to Read Act, which is “aimed at increasing access to school libraries, improving literacy through authorized funding, and protecting the roles of certified school librarians.”
They also suggest that advocates use resources found at Unite Against Book Bans in order to mobilize broader community efforts. You can begin to prepare now for Right to Read Day, April 20. Right to Read Day is an opportunity to celebrate books, make your voice heard, and take action against book bans.
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