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H.R. 1581: Build America’s Libraries Act

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H.R. 1581: Build America’s Libraries Act

117th Congress · introduced 2021-03-03 · Education · Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2021-03-03 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Build America’s Libraries Act

Plain summary

Build America's Libraries Act This bill establishes and provides funds through FY2024 for the Build America's Libraries Fund, from which the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) must allocate funding to states and, through them, need-based grants to libraries to make long-term improvements to library facilities. The IMLS must also award grants to Indian tribes and organizations that primarily serve and represent Native Hawaiians. Specifically, the bill requires each state that receives an allocation, and each library that receives a grant, to carry out certain activities to improve library facilities. These activities include constructing and renovating library facilities, investing in infrastructure projects to improve internet access and connectivity, improving indoor air quality, and making facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. The bill also outlines administrative and oversight provisions, including by requiring library projects to use iron and steel products that are produced in the United States.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Build America’s Libraries Act

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in House)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Levin, Andy [D-MI-9] · 160 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (D-GA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Joseph D. Morelle (D-NY), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Dina Titus (D-NV), James P. McGovern (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Sean Casten (D-IL), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Grace Meng (D-NY), Judy Chu (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jason Crow (D-CO), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and 100 more.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (1)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong117-hr1581 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong117 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong117