WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Angela Alsobrooks 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.
“Working families have already paid a high price under President Trump’s illegal tariffs. They shouldn’t have to pay a tariff tax on their children’s back-to-school supplies,” said Hickenlooper. “This bill will help make it easier for every child to start the school year with the supplies they need.”
“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 Alsobrooks.
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. 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 Trump’s tariffs.
“Families shouldn’t have to pay a Trump tariff tax just to send their kids back to school. 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 bill 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
Hickenlooper, a former small business owner, is an outspoken opponent of Trump’s reckless tariff-taxes and how they’ve increased prices for working families. He introduced the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, which would fully refund businesses who paid the administration’s illegal tariffs, and the Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses from the admin’s sweeping tariffs and provide refunds for the tariffs they already paid.
Hickenlooper also signed onto an amicus brief challenging the Trump administration’s illegal tariffs that was ultimately considered by the Supreme Court.
Full text of the Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act is available HERE.
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