{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bill-lower-cost-school-supplies", "Bynum Introduces Bill to Lower the Cost of School Supplies", "2026-09-03", "2026", "2026-09", "Democrat", "House", "OR", "Janelle S. Bynum", "B001326", "bynum.house.gov", "bynum", "https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, Congresswoman Janelle Bynum (OR-05) and Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) introduced the Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act to lower the cost of school supplies for students and teachers. The legislation would exempt school supplies and educational materials from President Trump\u2019s tariff taxes, which have raised prices for families across the country.\n\n\u201cBetween gas, groceries, and rent, our families are already struggling with rising costs,\u201d said Congresswoman Bynum. \u201cSchool supplies are the latest example of how Trump\u2019s tariffs are pricing people out of the essentials. With costs up and school supply lists out, families are having to make hard financial decisions. This bill is about giving parents and teachers a break, while still setting our children up for success in the classroom.\u201d\n\n\u201cLike families across the country, my wife and I felt the sticker shock when we went back-to-school shopping this year,\u201d said Congressman Boyle. \u201cFamilies are already stretching every dollar, and they shouldn\u2019t be forced to pay even more for basic school supplies because of President Trump\u2019s reckless tariff taxes. I\u2019m proud to help lead this bill to eliminate tariffs on back-to-school essentials and give parents, teachers, and students some much-needed relief.\u201d\n\nAccording to Groundwork Collaborative and the Century Foundation, the cost of school supplies has increased 8 percent this year, with many essential items facing even larger cost increases. Lunchbox prices have increased 27 percent, while notebooks have become 23 percent more expensive.\n\nThe Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act would:\n\nDirect the Secretaries of Commerce and Education to work together to create a list of tariff-free school supplies, and specifically exempts:\n\nOffice and school supplies\n\nBackpacks\n\nNotebooks, memorandum pads, and similar paper products\n\nChildren\u2019s picture, drawing, and coloring books\n\nCalendars\n\nComputer keyboards\n\nHairbrushes\n\nPencils, crayons, chalk, and other drawing materials\n\nPens, markers, and related writing instruments\n\nThe bill preserves congressional oversight by allowing Congress to disapprove the designation of specific items for tariff exemptions through a Joint Resolution of Disapproval.\n\nIn the House, the legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Sarah McBride (DE), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08). This legislation is led in the Senate by Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD). The bill is cosponsored by Senators Chris Van Hollen (MD), Chris Coons (DE), Andy Kim (NJ), Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE), Jacky Rosen (NV), and John Hickenlooper (CO).\n\nThis year, to confront rising economic pressures on young Americans, Rep. Bynum launched her signature \u201cK-30\u201d agenda. This platform is focused on supporting young Americans by improving education, strengthening the job market, and lowering housing and everyday costs. The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act is part of Rep. Bynum\u2019s ongoing efforts to support Oregon\u2019s children and young families.\n\nThe text of the bill is available HERE.\n\n###", 1, "2026-09-04T09:19:37Z", "2026-09-04T09:20:58Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://bynum.house.gov/media/press-releases/bynum-introduces-bill-lower-cost-school-supplies"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.252641599625349, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}