Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026
Key claim: The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 would create need-based federal grants and related requirements to modernize public K-12 facilities, restore school infrastructure tax credit bonds, extend Impact Aid construction funding, and help fix pyrrhotite-damaged foundations.
Abstract
(HR7340 · 119th Congress) Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 This bill provides support for long-term improvements to public elementary and secondary school facilities. First, the bill sets forth allocations to states and establishes a need-based grant program for local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve school facilities. Further, the bill specifies allowable uses of grant funds, including carrying out major repairs, improving indoor air quality, and making facilities accessible to individuals with disabilities. Additionally, the bill requires LEAs that receive funds for new construction, modernization, or renovation projects to comply with hazard-resistance building codes and performance criteria under the WaterSense program of the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the bill requires such LEAs to adopt certain green practices (environmental standards) and requires the use of iron, steel, and manufactured products that are made in the United States (Buy America). The bill restores school infrastructure tax credit bonds. The bill also sets forth reporting requirements, including annual reports on grant program projects and a report by the Government Accountability Office that requires a study of the geographic distribution of projects, the impact of selected projects on student and staff health and safety, and the accessibility of projects to high-needs schools. The bill also establishes the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education. Next, the bill extends through FY2031 the Impact Aid Construction program. Finally, the bill establishes a grant program to assist LEAs with repairing or replacing concrete foundations affected by pyrrhotite (an iron sulfide material linked to crumbling foundations). Latest action (2026-02-04): Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Why this matters
The Rebuild America’s Schools Act attaches Buy America domestic-content conditions to a large new stream of federal school construction funding, which would channel demand for iron, steel, and manufactured building products toward U.S. producers and raise compliance costs for importers and contractors sourcing abroad. For the Trade area, it is another instance of domestic-sourcing mandates being embedded in non-trade authorizing legislation, with downstream effects on material prices and supplier eligibility.