Congress reauthorizes the READ Act, strengthening global education equity
Congress passed the READ Act Reauthorization (H.R. 681 and S.41), funneling critical support toward global access to quality basic education.
Washington DC, December 18, 2024 — Today, Congress reauthorized the READ Act (H.R. 681). The original READ Act passed in 2017 with strong bipartisan support. This renewal ensures crucial upgrades to the U.S. strategy on global basic education.
A quality basic education can unlock opportunities for children that fight poverty. A child who masters basic skills is more likely to continue their education. Later, their earnings increase in the workforce, and their children are more likely to survive.
“The reauthorization of the READ Act could not come at a more urgent time. Fallout from the COVID pandemic continues to create barriers for children everywhere but especially in regions with the highest poverty rates. Children already surviving outsized rates of poverty and violence have lost access to quality education. Many never had it even before the pandemic,” said RESULTS Executive Director Joanne Carter. “RESULTS thanks the members of Congress who have championed this legislation including Representatives Smith and Meng and Senators Durbin and Rubio. We are so grateful to them and to the other cosponsors, partners, and many volunteer advocates who raised their voices for education equity.”
The READ Act reauthorization passed as an attachment to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The NDAA is a massive annual defense policy bill with many provisions that RESULTS opposes. “We are gratified that Congress took action to strengthen the U.S. role in global education equity before the end of this year. Children and families cannot wait. However, RESULTS strongly opposes many provisions in the NDAA. Violent conflict deepens the harm and trauma of poverty, including for the children we seek to support with the READ Act. RESULTS also stands with our trans/LGBTQIA+ community members and vehemently opposes the NDAA provisions targeting trans children and their families,” continued Carter.
“We celebrate that the US is taking the leadership role it should on equitable access to foundational learning. With each investment we make in education globally, we sow the seeds of peace, inclusion and justice.”
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Media Contact:
Laura Labarre, RESULTS
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+1 202.783.4800 x139
About RESULTS and RESULTS Educational Fund:
RESULTS supports a movement of passionate, committed everyday people using their voices to influence political decisions that will bring an end to poverty. Volunteers and staff multiply their impact through the enormous power of advocacy.
Our movement of volunteers is backed by a staff of researchers, policy analysts, and legislative and media experts. Our shared goal is the end of poverty. We have affiliates and partners across five continents, and a network of volunteers in all 50 states and worldwide. We’re a non-partisan advocacy group comprised of RESULTS Educational Fund, a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization, and RESULTS, a nonprofit 501(c)4 grassroots lobbying organization.