Larsen statement on bill reforming Library of Congress

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF U.S. REP. RICK LARSEN |||

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“The Librarian of Congress is the People’s Librarian, not the President’s Librarian.

“I have always stood up for libraries and the books that challenge us to be better. I will keep fighting to keep Trump from undermining libraries and the education and freedom they support.”

Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed legislation to vest the power to appoint the Librarian of Congress in House and Senate leadership instead of the President (the Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act).

After President Trump fired Librarian of Congress Dr. Carla Hayden – the first African American and the first woman to serve as the head of the Library of Congress – in May 2025, Larsen slammed the President’s actions and vowed to keep fighting for libraries and the Library of Congress’ independence from the Executive Branch.

In 2019, Rep. Larsen proudly welcomed Dr. Hayden to Northwest Washington where she donated books to Sno-Isle Libraries and read to children at Marysville Library and the Everett Public Library.

Rep. Larsen routinely donates books from the Library of Congress to local libraries across Northwest Washington and is a strong advocate for funding the Institute of Museum and Library Services.