Congresswoman Houchin Applauds Committee Passage of Science of Reading Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Congresswoman Erin Houchin (IN-09) applauded the passage of her legislation, H.R. 7890, the Science of Reading Act of 2026, out of the House Education and Workforce Committee.

The bipartisan bill, which Houchin introduced last week with cosponsors Rep. John W. Mannion (NY-22) and Rep. Kevin Kiley (CA-03), prioritizes evidence-based literacy instruction and ensures federal education funding supports proven methods that help students learn to read.

The Science of Reading Act requires instruction grounded in phonics, vocabulary, fluency, comprehension, and writing, while discouraging ineffective approaches like the three-cueing model.

"Reading is the foundation of every student's success, and right now, too many children are left behind. Parents, teachers, and students deserve better. The Science of Reading Act gets us back to the basics and ensures our classrooms are equipped with the proven, phonics-based methods to effectively teach all students to read. I am proud to see this legislation move out of committee and will continue to fight to get it across the finish line." - Rep. Houchin (IN-09)

"Literacy is a gateway skill-if students can't read, they aren't able to access learning from other subjects, and studies show these impacts are seen outside of the classroom as well. Unfortunately, reading scores have been plummeting nationwide. It is past time we reject failed fads, raise standards, and ensure every child gains the skills essential to be successful."- Chairman Walberg (MI-05)

"As a teacher for nearly three decades, I know that strong reading skills are foundational to a student's success in the classroom and in life. The Science of Reading Act of 2026 delivers proven, evidence-based instruction that helps students build those skills early and effectively. As states continue adopting the science of reading approach, this bipartisan effort creates a clear, consistent framework to improve outcomes nationwide. This is a critical step toward ensuring that the United States remains globally competitive and every student has the tools they need to succeed from the classroom to their career." - Rep. Mannion (NY-22)

"The ability to read is the foundation of every child's education, and the Science of Reading Act of 2026 ensures we use methods that actually work. This bill prioritizes evidence-based instruction grounded in phonics, comprehension, and the core building blocks of literacy. By aligning federal support with proven methods, we can ensure every child has the opportunity to become a confident, capable reader."- Rep. Kiley (CA-03)

The Science of Reading Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to prioritize funding for literacy programs aligned with the science of reading and to ensure state literacy plans reflect these evidence-based approaches.

The legislation now heads to the House floor for consideration.

See text of the Science of Reading Act here.