Oppose the Federal Book Ban Bill H.R. 7661
House Republicans have introduced H.R. 7661, the so-called "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act," a bill that would cut federal funding to any school or program that gives minors access to materials deemed "sexually oriented." While the legislation frames itself as child protection, critics across the political spectrum warn it is far broader in scope than its title suggests.
The bill's language specifically singles out topics related to gender identity, including "gender dysphoria or transgenderism," making clear that LGBTQ+ stories, characters, and perspectives are a primary target. Books featuring LGBTQ+ themes — especially those centering transgender individuals and people of color — have already been disproportionately targeted by organized groups pushing for removal from school and library shelves. H.R. 7661 would give those efforts the force of federal law. The bill does carve out exceptions for certain "classic" works, but the approved lists are narrow and controversial, with two of the four coming from a homeschooling company that teaches from an explicitly Biblical worldview.
Beyond its immediate impact on LGBTQ+ students and families, many legal experts and educators fear the bill's vague wording could be used to restrict a far wider range of materials — well beyond schools and libraries. Critics argue this legislation raises serious concerns about government-directed censorship and First Amendment freedoms.
You can make a difference by urging your representatives to vote against H.R. 7661. You may also encourage them to support H.R. 6440, the Right to Read Act, which takes a constructive approach by funding education and improving student literacy across the country.
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Live Call Script
Hello, I am an assistant calling on behalf of a constituent, {{first_name}} {{last_name}} from {{city}}, {{state}} zip code {{zip_code}}. The constituent is calling today to urge Representative {{representative_name}} to oppose H.R. 7661, the so-called "Stop the Sexualization of Children Act." Despite its name, many critics argue this bill opens the door to a nationwide book ban and discriminates against LGBTQ+ students and families. The bill's vague language could allow politicians to decide which stories belong in our schools and libraries, raising serious First Amendment concerns. The constituent would also encourage Representative {{representative_name}} to consider supporting H.R. 6440, the Right to Read Act, which invests in student literacy and education rather than restricting access to books.
Voicemail Version
I am calling on behalf of {{first_name}} {{last_name}}, a constituent from {{city}}, {{state}} {{zip_code}}. This call is to urge Representative {{representative_name}} to oppose H.R. 7661, a federal bill that critics say would effectively ban books targeting LGBTQ+ students and open the door to government censorship in schools and libraries. The constituent also encourages support for H.R. 6440, the Right to Read Act, as a positive alternative that invests in student literacy. You may contact me at {{phone_number}} to discuss further.