Chair Cassidy, Reed, Colleagues Introduce Resolution Recognizing September 2025 as “National Literacy Month”

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Jack Reed (D-RI) introduced a resolution designating September 2025 as "National Literacy Month."

"The NAEP scores show our K-12 system is failing on literacy. If students do not learn to read, they cannot succeed in school or compete in the workforce. Children and families deserve better," said Dr. Cassidy. "This resolution highlights the urgency to improve literacy nationwide, so children have a chance at a better future."

"Reading unlocks opportunity and strengthening literacy for Americans of all ages will help us build a stronger society. We need to do a better job of reaching learners where they are and not letting them slip through the cracks," said Senator Reed. "I'm proud to work with Senator Cassidy and our colleagues to introduce this important resolution that amplifies the need for more effective literacy instruction for students of all ages."

The recently released 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) showed that students are leaving high school with the lowest literacy scores ever recorded. In an effort to improve child literacy, Cassidy released a report that outlines ways to reform America's broken K-12 education system. This includes ensuring federal resources can be used towards early-detection screening for learning needs, like dyslexia, that cause students to struggle with literacy.

According to a 2020 study by Gallup in partnership with the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy, it is estimated that low levels of adult literacy could be costing America as much as $2.2 trillion a year.

In recognition of National Literacy Month, throughout the month of September, schools, libraries, non-profits, and other organizations will host a variety of activities, events, and free workshops highlighting the importance of building and strengthening literacy skills and the benefits of reading on healthy development.

Cassidy and Reed are also joined by U.S. Senators Jon Husted (R-OH), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), John Cornyn (R-TX), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Jim Justice (R-WV), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Katie Britt (R-AL), Angus King (I-ME), James Lankford (R-OK), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) in co-sponsoring this resolution.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.

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