Hours after the State of the Union address, House Republicans have introduced H.R. 7661, a bill aimed at prohibiting federal funds for materials deemed sexually oriented in schools. The legislation, known as the Stop the Sexualization of Children Act, targets content including topics related to gender dysphoria and transgenderism.
On February 26, 2026, following the State of the Union address, House Representative Mary Miller (Republican, Illinois) introduced House Resolution 7661 (H.R. 7661), also called the 'Stop the Sexualization of Children Act.' The bill seeks to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 by barring the use of federal funds 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.' Seventeen additional representatives cosponsored the legislation.
The bill defines 'sexually oriented material' to include references to 'gender dysphoria or transgenderism,' as well as 'lewd' and 'lascivious' dancing. Critics, including Book Riot's Kelly Jensen, argue that this vague language mirrors state-level policies used to restrict books on LGBTQ+ topics in public schools and libraries. For instance, Katy Independent School District in Texas recently banned over 140 LGBTQ+ books under a policy targeting 'sexually explicit materials' and 'gender fluidity.' In South Carolina, Greenville Public Library prohibited books with 'trans' themes for those under 18, a restriction later expanded in York County Library to include 'gender identity' content. The American Civil Liberties Union of South Carolina has sued over the Greenville ban on behalf of library patrons.
Similar state efforts, such as Iowa's Senate File 496 and Idaho's House Bill 710, are facing lawsuits. Book Riot reports that while the bill applies to institutions receiving Elementary and Secondary Education Act funds, it could extend to public libraries. The outlet urges contacting House representatives to oppose the measure, describing it as part of broader efforts against transgender rights under the Trump-Vance administration. The full text of H.R. 7661, including cosponsors, is available for review.
