1. United States
2. Utah
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express my strong opposition to H.R. 7661. While protecting children is a priority we all share, H.R. 7661 creates sweeping federal mandates that undermine local governance and restrict access to age-appropriate literature. Decisions regarding library materials belong with local communities, trained professional librarians, and parents. I align with the core principles of the nonpartisan Let Utah Read coalition: Parental Rights: One parent's personal preference should not restrict what other parents permit their own children to read. Support for Trained Professionals: School and public librarians are trained experts equipped to curate collections suited for their communities. Student Safety: Removing curated, developmentally appropriate books from libraries often drives young people to unregulated internet sources, increasing safety risks rather than reducing them. First Amendment Protections: Students deserve access to literature reflecting diverse perspectives and the full human experience without political interference. Federal legislation that penalizes local school districts and dictates library collections overreaches federal authority and hurts students. I urge you to vote NO on H.R. 7661 and preserve local control over education. Thank you for your time, service, and consideration of your constituents' views.