Washington, D.C., July 30, 2026 – National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues released the following statement on today’s bipartisan Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee vote to advance the READ Act, landmark legislation that helps ensure children receive the reading support and instruction they need to succeed.
“Today’s bipartisan vote to advance the READ Act is a big win for children, families, and educators. At the National Parents Union, we know that literacy is the foundation of opportunity, and we have fought alongside parents across the country to make sure every child has access to high-quality reading instruction and the support they need to become confident readers.
For far too long, too many families have watched their children fall behind without the support they deserve. Today’s vote sends a clear message that our literacy crisis demands action. We urge Congress to keep this momentum going and get the READ Act across the finish line because every child deserves the chance to become a confident reader.
We applaud Chairman Bill Cassidy, Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, Senators Jim Banks, Maggie Hassan, John Hickenlooper, Mark Kelly, and Tim Scott, along with their HELP Committee colleagues, for putting children first and advancing this critical legislation. Their leadership demonstrates that literacy is not a partisan issue and that when we put children first, we can deliver the future they deserve.”
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/