Education and Opportunity

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Today, Congressional Dyslexia Caucus Co-Chairs Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04) and Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) introduced a resolution recognizing October 2025 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month.
Senators Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) introduced the companion resolution in the U.S. Senate.
Dyslexia may be the most common learning disability, but it unfortunately remains misunderstood in many parts of the country. This learning disability should never be a roadblock for students’ success in the classroom; however, the lack of public awareness further hinders early diagnoses, preventing our students from receiving the tools they need to succeed early in their educational journey.
Since the beginning of time, humanity has sought out knowledge and wisdom. The ability to gain a greater understanding of the world around them ensured our ancestors' success, safety, and survival. Over time, as humanity has continued to learn, society has developed, and tools and resources for building and farming have become more sophisticated. Advances in healthcare, agriculture, and the economy have also been made possible.
Today, U.S. Representatives Bruce Westerman (R-AR), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), Barry Moore (R-AL), Carol Miller (R-WV), and LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) alongside U.S Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) reintroduced the bicameral Second Chance Month Resolution. The members released the following statements:
In today’s world, access to information and connection to others can be most easily found in a small rectangular device in our back pockets. Gone are the days when you had to go to the library to research an issue or find an answer to a question in a book. We no longer have phone booths or even landlines when trying to reach someone by phone. With the internet and phone combined in our back pockets, access to information and others has never been easier than it is today.
Today, Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-04), Rep. Jason Crow (CO-06), Rep. Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08) reintroduced the Focus on Learning Act, bipartisan legislation requiring the U.S. Surgeon General to complete a study that considers the effects of cell phone use among students aged K-12 and how it impacts their mental health and academic performance. Congressman Westerman released the following statement:
August is National Shooting Sports Month! Many Arkansans, including myself, have grown up loving and appreciating shooting sports, one of the most time-honored pastimes in the Natural State. Yet, one year ago, flawed policies from the Biden Administration threatened sportsmen and women’s ability to recreate as they please.
Back-to-school season is in full swing! As we usher in a new academic year, parents and educators are gearing up for what this season may have in store for their students. Unfortunately, one of the most significant challenges students will face this year is in their own back pockets. With the increased use of technology and social media, it's becoming increasingly evident that cell phone use in school must be addressed to protect future generations.
One in every five students has a language-based learning disability, most commonly dyslexia. Although dyslexia is such a common condition and much headway has occurred, all too often schools are not well equipped to diagnose and treat it. Until identification of dyslexia is done in a much more timely and consistent manner, students will continue to be prevented from getting the services and accommodations that are in line with scientific, evidence-based practices which will greatly benefit them in learning to read.