Reps. Cleaver, Brown, and Foushee re-introduced the Prison Libraries Act to expand library resources in U.S. state and territory correctional facilities... The bill will authorize $60,000,000 over six years for state prisons to expand library resources and services to support the education and skills training of incarcerated Americans.
Support the Prison Libraries Act to authorize grants that expand prison library resources, education, and job training programs in state and territory correctional facilities.
Occurrences
Evidence
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GovInfo records that Mr. Cleaver introduced H.R. 7247, the Prison Libraries Act of 2026, and that the bill was referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. The entry lists Emanuel Cleaver as sponsor and identifies the bill’s purpose as establishing a program to make grants for prison libraries.
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The Congressional Record Index entry dated May 18, 2026 includes 'PRISON LIBRARIES ACT' among the indexed terms in the 119th Congress, indicating the bill remains an active matter in the Congressional Record Index during the lookback window.
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GovInfo bill text shows H.R. 7247, the Prison Libraries Act of 2026, was introduced by Mr. Cleaver on January 27, 2026 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; it would establish Attorney General grants for prison library services, including education and job training, and authorize $10 million annually for FY2026-FY2031.
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GovInfo's Congressional Record Index entry published September 3, 2026 lists the Prison Libraries Act in the 119th Congress with congressional bills S. 4320 and H.R. 7247, without showing passage or enactment.
Assessments
Cleaver personally introduced H.R. 7247, the Prison Libraries Act of 2026, during the 119th Congress. The bill text matches the promised policy by authorizing Attorney General grants to expand prison library services, education, and job training resources in state and territory correctional facilities. Although the evidence does not show enactment, the promise was framed as supporting the Act, and sponsorship/introduction is direct federal legislative support within the same term.
Cleaver materially fulfilled the promise to support the Prison Libraries Act by introducing H.R. 7247, the Prison Libraries Act of 2026, in the 119th Congress. The bill directly matches the promised policy: authorizing grants for prison libraries and related educational resources in correctional facilities. The evidence shows introduction and committee referral, not enactment, but the promise was framed as supporting the Act rather than guaranteeing final passage.