Photo credit: UN Photo/Eskinder Debebe

Great news, Global Citizens! Last night the Senate voted to pass the Reinforcing Education in Development Act, or the READ Act!

The READ Act will improve how the US approaches educational opportunities and address key barriers to school attendance, retention, and completion, especially for girls. The bill calls for prioritizing US education assistance with the aim of helping countries who are most in need. Additionally, the bill focuses on strengthening education systems and providing a framework for country ownership to achieve lasting positive change.

Senator Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Rubio (R-FL) introduced the legislation in the Senate on March 14.

A similar bill in the House of Representatives is being led by Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Dave Reichert. The bill passed in the House of Representatives earlier this year. Because there are a few key differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation, the bill will need to go back through the House of Representatives a second time before it can be sent to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

A huge thank you to the thousands of Global Citizens who took action. With your voice behind us, we will cross the finish line. Keep it up.