ALSOBROOKS LEADS SENATORS IN INTRODUCING BILL TO END TARIFFS ON BACK-TO-SCHOOL SUPPLIES

August 6, 2026

WASHINGTON, DC - As reported in The Hill, U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) introduced the Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act, legislation that would exempt school supplies and educational materials from tariffs, helping reduce costs for families, teachers, schools, and local governments.

According to Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation, the cost of back-to-school supplies has increased by nearly 11% this year, driven in part by President Trump's tariffs, including the latest Section 301 tariffs affecting imports from much of the global economy. According to the study, lunch boxes are up nearly 27%, notebooks are up nearly 23%, and nearly every school item, from pens to paper, is higher than it was before the Trump Tariffs.

"Families and teachers should be focused on preparing children for a successful school year-not worrying about whether they can afford the supplies students need to learn. As parents and teachers continue to feel the strain of rising costs, this legislation provides targeted relief by eliminating tariffs on essential classroom supplies. Every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with the tools they need to succeed," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"The Trump Administration's sweeping global tariffs are raising prices for working families across the country, and our students, teachers, and schools are caught right in the middle of it. This legislation will lower back-to-school costs for families and help students start the year with the tools they need to learn and succeed," said Senator Van Hollen.

"As school districts across Nevada begin the new school year, parents are being squeezed by the high cost of school supplies thanks to Donald Trump's reckless tariffs," said Senator Rosen. "I am proud to help introduce this bill to repeal tariffs on school supplies and provide some financial relief for hardworking families as they prepare our children for another school year. I promise that I will continue fighting in the Senate to lower the cost of living for families all across Nevada."

"Parents have struggled all year with the impact of Trump's tariffs on everything from gas to groceries, cell phones to furniture, and now they have to deal with eye-watering costs for backpacks, books, lunch boxes, notebooks, and other back-to-school supplies," said Senator Coons. "Our children shouldn't be held back because the tools they need to learn and grow are made unaffordable by Trump's disastrous tariffs. This bill would make it so parents and children don't face an unfair tax on back to school."

"Trump's tariffs are squeezing families in all directions, and back-to-school season is already stressful enough. This bill helps give them much needed relief on classroom essentials so parents can have some peace of mind while getting their kids ready for the school year," said Senator Kim.

"Back-to-school season is already expensive enough without tariffs making backpacks, notebooks, pencils, and other essential supplies even more costly," said Senator Blunt Rochester, Ranking Member of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Education and the American Family. "The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act will help lower costs for families and educators by exempting school supplies from President Trump's tariffs so students can start the school year ready to learn-not worrying about higher prices."

"Families shouldn't have to pay a Trump tariff tax just to send their kids back to school. Senator Alsobrooks' Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act would help lower the cost of essentials like backpacks, notebooks, and pencils. Third Way is proud to support this commonsense legislation to deliver meaningful cost relief for families, teachers, and schools," said Zach Moller, Senior Director of the Economic Program, Third Way.

"This back-to-school season is coming with significant sticker shock. Stocking backpacks and lockers this year will cost nearly 8% more thanks to Trump's tariffs and war in Iran. As half of parents are forced to cut back on other expenses to make sure their children are prepared to succeed this school year, working families need relief from Trump's reckless economic agenda," said Elizabeth Pancotti, Vice President of Policy, Advocacy, and Research, Groundwork Collaborative.

The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act would exempt school supplies and educational materials from most tariffs, including the latest Section 301 tariffs raising prices on goods from much of the global economy.

The legislation directs the Secretaries of Commerce and Education to work together to create a list of tariff-free school supplies, but also specifically exempts:

• Office and school supplies

• Backpacks

• Notebooks, memorandum pads, and similar paper products

• Children's picture, drawing, and coloring books

• Calendars

• Computer keyboards

• Hairbrushes

• Pencils, crayons, chalk, and other drawing materials

• Pens, markers, and related writing instruments

The bill preserves congressional oversight by allowing Congress to disapprove the designation of specific items for tariff exemptions through a Joint Resolution of Disapproval.

Read full text of the bill here.

###