While much of the country continues to struggle with declining reading scores, a handful of Southern states have proven that real progress is possible, and fast. Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, and Tennessee have delivered some of the most dramatic literacy gains in the nation by rejecting failed teaching methods and embracing the science of reading. Their success isn’t theoretical; it’s measurable, repeatable, and offers a clear roadmap for the rest of the country. Mississippi’s turnaround is the clearest example. In 2013, it ranked near the bottom nationally in fourth-grade reading, particularly among low-income students. By 2024, it surged into the top tier. That didn’t happen by chance. The state restructured teacher training, required candidates to pass rigorous reading assessments, and mandated systematic phonics instruction in classrooms. Other states followed suit, proving that when policy aligns with evidence, results follow. Two reforms stand out. First, accountability in teacher preparation. States must ensure that teacher training programs actually produce educators who can teach children to read. That means regular re-certification, consequences for underperforming programs, and clear standards grounded in cognitive science. Alabama has banned three-cueing. Louisiana requires structured literacy training. Mississippi demands demonstrated reading competency before licensure. These are not minor tweaks; they are systemic corrections. Second, states must end social promotion. Advancing students who cannot read only deepens the crisis. Mississippi’s third-grade reading law, requiring proficiency before promotion, paired with targeted intervention, has shown that accountability works. Students who were held back and supported went on to outperform peers, while retention rates dropped as early literacy improved. The lesson is clear: when expectations rise, outcomes follow. America’s literacy crisis is serious, but it is solvable. The blueprint exists. What’s needed now is the will to act.

America’s literacy crisis isn’t new; it’s been hiding in plain sight for decades. Today, only about 30 percent of fourth graders read proficiently, while nearly 40 percent fail to meet even basic standards, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. These aren’t just numbers; they represent millions of children moving through school without the most essential skill for success. When students can’t read, every subject becomes a barrier, and opportunity slips further out of reach. A major driver of this failure is how we train teachers. Most preparation programs still ignore the science of reading. Only a fraction properly teaches the core components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. Instead, many continue promoting discredited methods like “balanced literacy” and three-cueing, which teach children to guess words rather than read them. 30 percent of programs offer aspiring teachers no hands-on practice with evidence-based instruction at all. Educators are graduating without the tools necessary to teach reading effectively, and students bear the consequences. The system compounds the damage through social promotion, passing students along even when they can’t read at grade level. Third grade is a critical turning point: students shift from learning to read to reading to learn. When they cross that line without the necessary skills, they don’t just struggle; they disengage. What often appears as behavioral problems is frequently rooted in something much simpler: they cannot read and are too far behind to keep up. America's literacy crisis is the result of compounding failures, bad training, flawed methods, and a system that prioritizes the appearance of progress over real outcomes. But the path forward is clear. Evidence-based instruction works, and states that have embraced it are already seeing improvement. The question is no longer what to do; it’s whether we have the urgency to do it. America’s children don’t need more experiments. They need to be taught to read.

Wednesday, November 4–6, 2026 at The Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida CPAC invites its most dedicated supporters to an exclusive CPAC Circle Retreat and Gala at The Mar-a-Lago Club. Set against the backdrop of one of the most iconic private clubs in the country, this intimate gathering brings together conservative leaders, influential voices, and top supporters for a multi-day experience centered on leadership, strategy, and celebration. An Exclusive Gathering of Conservative Leadership The CPAC Circle Retreat and Gala is designed for those who are deeply committed to advancing the conservative movement. Throughout the retreat, guests will engage in meaningful discussions, hear directly from key leaders, and take part in curated experiences that foster connection and collaboration at the highest level. From policy conversations to celebratory moments, this event offers a unique opportunity to be in the room where ideas are shared and the future is shaped. What to Expect Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully curated program, including: Private briefings and discussions with conservative leaders Intimate networking opportunities with top policymakers Exclusive access to featured speakers A formal gala dinner at The Mar-a-Lago Club Premium hospitality and concierge-level experience throughout the retreat Ticket Levels Co-Host Ticket - $25,000 The Co-Host level offers exclusive access and recognition throughout the CPAC Circle Retreat and Gala. Benefits include premium placement at all events, recognition as a leading supporter, and exclusive opportunities to engage with featured speakers and distinguished guests in intimate settings. VIP Ticket - $7,500 The VIP Ticket provides elevated access to the retreat experience, including priority seating at the gala, invitations to select private sessions, and enhanced opportunities to connect with conservative leaders and fellow supporters. Attendee Ticket - $5,000 The Attendee Ticket provides guests with access to the CPAC Annual Gala at The Mar-a-Lago Club, featuring an elegant dinner, special remarks, and a celebration of conservative leadership in a world-class setting. Attendee ticket holders are also invited to join CPAC for the Poolside Dinner on Friday evening. Gala Only Ticket - $2,500 The Gala Only Ticket provides guests with access to the CPAC Annual Gala at The Mar-a-Lago Club, featuring an elegant dinner, special remarks, and a celebration of conservative leadership in a world-class setting. 📅 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (ET) 🗓️ Wednesday, November 4 Teahouse Room at The Mar-a-Lago Club Chairman’s Circle Member Dinner CO-HOST TICKET HOLDERS ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN 🗓️ Thursday, November 5 The Donald J. Trump Ballroom at The Mar-a-Lago Club Annual CPAC Circle Members Summit BY INVITATION ONLY The Donald J. Trump Ballroom at The Mar-a-Lago Club CPAC Annual Gala CO-HOST, VIP, ATTENDEE, AND GALA ONLY TICKET HOLDERS ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN 🗓️ Friday, November 6 The White & Gold Ballroom at The Mar-a-Lago Club Co-Hosts Brunch CO-HOST TICKET HOLDERS ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN The Pool at The Mar-a-Lago Club Poolside Dinner CO-HOST, VIP, AND ATTENDEE TICKET HOLDERS ARE WELCOMED TO JOIN A Signature Evening at Mar-a-Lago The highlight of the event is the CPAC Annual Gala, a black-tie gala, bringing together attendees for an elegant evening of dining, recognition, and remarks from influential leaders. Set within the historic Mar-a-Lago Club, this signature event serves as a highlight of the retreat—celebrating the strength and future of the conservative movement. Register Today Secure your place at this premier gathering at The Mar-a-Lago Club and connect with the leaders shaping the future of the conservative movement at CPAC.org/Attend/MarALago. A Defining Experience The CPAC Circle Retreat and Gala is more than an event—it is an opportunity to engage with the leaders and ideas shaping the future of our nation in a setting unlike any other. We look forward to welcoming you to Palm Beach for an unforgettable and impactful experience.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent concluded Financial Literacy Month by hosting a literacy fair at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, welcoming more than 50 students from the greater Washington, D.C. area on April 30, 2026. The event served as both a celebration and a demonstration of the Trump Administration's commitment to financial education as a cornerstone of economic opportunity for all Americans. With the nation approaching its 250th anniversary, the event underscores the administration's belief that the principles underlying American prosperity must be deliberately cultivated for the next generation. "We live in the greatest country in the history of the world, and on the eve of our 250th anniversary, understanding what has driven our success is the key to our future and what will lead the nation successfully for the next 250 years," said Sec. Bessent. The fair featured an array of engaging, hands-on programming designed to make financial concepts accessible to young attendees. Activities included a fast-paced financial quiz format dubbed "financial soccer," interactive booths, complimentary educational resources, and a guided tour of the Treasury Vault. The interactive, kid-friendly structure reflected a deliberate effort to present topics such as budgeting, investing, and sound financial decision-making in a manner both approachable and substantive. The urgency of such efforts is well-supported by national data. A report from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau found that fewer than 30% of young people are financially literate, and that nearly three-quarters of students identify a need for formal financial education. These figures illuminate the significant gap that initiatives like the Treasury's literacy fair aim to address. Financial Literacy Month has been formally recognized by the U.S. Senate since 2004; the Trump Administration's approach represents a renewed and more active commitment to the cause. Through coordinated programming spanning interactive student events, professional roundtables, and community forums, the Treasury Department is sending a clear message: building a financially informed nation is not merely sound policy; it is essential to the enduring strength of the American Dream.

Revitalizing American ranching requires actionable policy mandates that fortify the American beef industry and protect ranching families from regulatory displacement. Specific recommendations for reform, including "No Net Loss" standards and increased administrative accountability for federal agencies, provide a roadmap for restoration. These proposals are designed to restore opportunity for producers and provide much-needed stability for rural communities that depend on federal rangelands. First, federal agencies must implement a nationwide "No Net Loss of AUMs" policy, requiring them to review past management plans and identify opportunities to restore historically permitted grazing capacity. Second, policy reforms should build on established land policy precedents to provide compensation or mitigation when grazing is permanently removed or preference rights are displaced. This ensures that the asset value of grazing permits is protected from regulatory pressure and administrative whim. Finally, all administratively closed allotments must be reopened, with a priority on reissuing them to young and beginning ranchers seeking entry into the industry. These targeted reforms will help rebuild grazing capacity and provide the stability necessary for rural communities to thrive. While these ideas are not a comprehensive list of every issue, they represent a critical effort to restore responsible grazing through specific administrative changes. By prioritizing production and stability, this uniquely American way of life can be protected for generations to come.

Over the course of 2025 and through April 2026, the CPAC Foundation's Center for Regulatory Freedom (CRF) maintained a sustained and disciplined presence in the federal regulatory process. While legislative debates often dominate public attention, the structure, cost, and real-world impact of public policy are ultimately determined through agency rulemaking, guidance, and information collection requirements. CRF’s work was grounded in the recognition that meaningful engagement in the administrative process is essential to shaping policy outcomes. Throughout this period, CRF focused on ensuring that regulatory actions remained aligned with statutory authority, economic reality, and practical implementation. This required continuous participation across agencies, issue areas, and stages of the regulatory lifecycle. Understanding that the Trump administration had a historic deregulatory record in 2025, cutting regulatory costs by an unprecedented $211 Billion, this made the engagement of CRF all the more important in injecting a free-market/limited government perspective into administration decision-making. A Continuous Engagement Model CRF operated on a continuous engagement model rather than an episodic one. Across 2025 and into the first four months of 2026, CRF regularly reviewed and responded to proposed rules, information collection requests, and requests for comment across the federal government. Through April 2026, CRF filed well over one hundred formal submissions into the administrative record, averaging approximately 8–12 filings per week during 2026. These submissions included: Notices of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRMs) Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) information collection reviews Requests for Information (RFIs) At any given time, CRF maintained an active pipeline of pending engagements, ensuring that participation occurred early enough to inform regulatory design rather than merely respond to finalized proposals. Broad Engagement Across the Administrative State CRF’s engagement spanned more than twenty federal agencies and covered a wide range of policy domains, including: Environmental and energy regulation Healthcare and pharmaceutical policy Financial regulation and monetary policy Communications and technology Labor and employment Trade, infrastructure, and national security This breadth reflected a consistent operational premise: while regulatory subject matter varies, the structural challenges of regulatory design—unclear authority, excessive burden, misaligned incentives, and unintended economic effects—are recurring across agencies. A Consistent Analytical Framework Across its submissions, CRF applied a consistent analytical framework grounded in: Statutory fidelity and administrative discipline Cost-benefit calibration and burden minimization Paperwork Reduction Act standards of necessity and practical utility Performance-based and technology-neutral regulatory design Recognition of downstream economic and consumer impacts This framework was applied across disparate policy areas, enabling CRF to identify recurring structural issues in regulatory design and to provide consistent, actionable recommendations to agencies. Integration with Policy, Media, and Stakeholder Engagement CRF’s regulatory work was integrated with broader policy and stakeholder engagement. Throughout this period, the Center: Engaged with industry stakeholders and policy organizations Participated in media and public commentary to translate regulatory issues for broader audiences Coordinated with allied organizations to expand participation in the administrative process This integration ensured that regulatory engagement was not isolated from broader policy discussions, but instead informed and was informed by them. Representative Engagement: Final Week of April 2026 CRF’s activity during the final week of April 2026 illustrates the scope and consistency of its engagement model. During this period, the Center submitted multiple formal comments across agencies and issue areas, including: Comments to the Environmental Protection Agency supporting a reporting deadline extension under TSCA Section 8(d), while identifying broader structural issues in the design of information collection requirements Comments to the Department of the Treasury and Office of the Comptroller of the Currency addressing implementation of the GENIUS Act, emphasizing the need for regulatory frameworks aligned with the economic function of payment stablecoins Comments to the Food and Drug Administration on dietary supplement manufacturing and recordkeeping requirements, highlighting the importance of calibrated documentation standards in a post-market regulatory framework Comments to the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Ocean Energy Management supporting administrative streamlining while emphasizing the need for regulatory clarity, predictability, and economic workability in offshore mineral development Comments to the Environmental Protection Agency on compliance date extensions for TSCA risk management rules, identifying measurement feasibility and administrability challenges in existing frameworks Comments to the Federal Reserve supporting the removal of reputational risk as a supervisory concept and emphasizing the importance of objective, financially grounded regulatory standards Comments to the Department of Labor supporting a structured and administrable framework for independent contractor classification, emphasizing clarity, predictability, and alignment with economic reality These submissions reflect the breadth of CRF’s engagement across environmental, financial, labor, healthcare, and industrial policy within a single week. Conclusion Across 2025 and through April 2026, the Center for Regulatory Freedom maintained a sustained, high-frequency presence in the federal regulatory process. This work demonstrated that regulatory engagement is not an episodic activity, but a continuous function requiring consistent attention, analytical discipline, and cross-agency coordination. The record developed over this period reflects a model of engagement grounded in participation, scale, and structural analysis. As regulatory activity continues to shape the implementation of public policy, sustained engagement in the administrative process remains essential to ensuring that regulatory outcomes are economically grounded, administratively workable, and aligned with statutory purpose.

Restoring western ranching requires bold reform to shift federal land management from a culture of restriction to one of productive partnership. Reopening dormant grazing lands and establishing a framework that protects the economic and cultural value of the American producer is essential to the future of the industry. By building on the foundation of existing industry-support frameworks and departmental plans to fortify the beef industry, the government can begin to reverse decades of industry decline. The core of the solution involves the immediate reopening and reissuance of thousands of vacant and administratively closed grazing allotments. Because federal law generally prohibits the permanent retirement of BLM allotments unless the land is no longer "chiefly valuable for grazing," these 24 million acres should be returned to productive use to help rebuild America’s cow and sheep herds. Furthermore, adopting a "No Net Loss of AUMs" policy would stabilize the industry by requiring that active grazing levels remain at or above current levels unless a temporary, scientifically justified reduction is necessary for rangeland health. By recommitting to policies that support producers rather than undermine them, the government can revitalize rural economies and strengthen domestic food security. These reforms ensure that as vegetation recovers, suspended AUMs, which rarely return to active status under current practices, are restored to active use. This path forward recognizes that independent ranchers are essential for sustaining working landscapes and the long-term sustainability of American livestock production.

American ranching is facing a quiet but devastating crisis as limited private land ownership, declining grazing capacity, and increasing "agricultural lawfare" push multi-generational families to the brink of extinction. Livestock production west of the 100th meridian has become increasingly difficult for local producers due to federal land management and regulatory shifts. Because the federal government manages roughly 640 million acres, including 81% of Nevada and 67% of Utah, access to federal allotments managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is a necessity for survival. The industry has suffered from a "one-way ratchet" of restrictions, with authorized BLM Animal Unit Months (AUMs) in Utah plummeting from 2.75 million in 1940 to fewer than 675,000 by 2009. Across the West, there has been a net loss of 9.5 million BLM AUMs since 1954, and today, approximately 29,000 allotments covering 24 million acres sit vacant or administratively closed. These challenges are compounded by "agricultural lawfare," where administrative and legal systems are used to pressure producers through heavy regulation and enforcement, often influenced by anti-grazing advocacy groups seeking to eliminate livestock from federal lands. The steady erosion of grazing rights threatens not only the economic stability of rural communities but also America’s national food security. Each AUM generates about $100 in annual local economic activity, and when these are eliminated, ranchers lose asset value and lenders lose loan collateral. To preserve the heritage and independence of the American West, these foundational problems of land access and regulatory overreach must be addressed before this unique way of life is pushed toward extinction.

The CPAC Coalition Against Christian Persecution, alongside leaders such as former Congressman Frank Wolf and Senator Ted Cruz, was on Capitol Hill, continuing to raise awareness about the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria. Since 2009, more than 52,000 Christians have reportedly been killed by extremist groups, including Boko Haram, ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP), and Fulani militants. Entire communities have been devastated by targeted attacks, mass displacement, and the destruction of over 18,000 churches. These patterns of violence point to a sustained and deliberate effort to target Christians, leaving many communities living in fear and instability. This crisis is increasingly recognized as systematic persecution rather than isolated conflict. Christians are often targeted because of their faith, with attacks occurring in villages, churches, and during religious observances. The killing of 53 Christians on Palm Sunday stands as a stark example of the brutality faced by believers. Survivors are left to navigate not only the immediate trauma of violence but also the long-term consequences of displacement, economic hardship, and the loss of their communities and places of worship. Advocates and leaders have emphasized the importance of acknowledging the scale and severity of the crisis. The designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern highlights the seriousness of ongoing religious freedom violations and the need for sustained global attention. Voices like Frank Wolf have underscored the long-term nature of the violence and the urgent need to ensure that the suffering of these communities is neither ignored nor minimized. At its core, the mission of the CPAC Coalition Against Christian Persecution is to stand in defense of persecuted Christians and ensure their stories are heard. By highlighting the realities on the ground and amplifying the voices of those affected, the coalition seeks to maintain focus on protecting vulnerable communities and confronting the ongoing violence. The message remains clear: the persecution of Christians in Nigeria is a profound human rights crisis that demands awareness, moral clarity, and continued commitment to those who suffer for their faith.

China’s intellectual property theft is not incidental; it is a deliberate, state-backed strategy to undermine the American economy and seize global technological leadership. With losses estimated at $400–600 billion annually, this effort targets the core of U.S. innovation, eroding industries that account for nearly half of the nation’s GDP. This is not competition on a level playing field; it is a systematic attempt to shortcut progress by extracting and replicating American advancements. The attack extends well beyond economic damage. By targeting key sectors, China is weakening U.S. jobs, disrupting supply chains, and creating serious national security risks. In many cases, these efforts are amplified by gaps within the U.S. system itself, whether through the transfer of sensitive technologies or insufficient protections around critical data. China is not acting alone in exploiting these vulnerabilities, but it is leading a coordinated push that exposes just how interconnected economic and security threats have become. What makes this challenge more urgent is the mismatch in response. Chinese efforts operate at scale, backed by state resources and long-term strategy, while American companies are often left to defend themselves with limited support. By the time enforcement actions occur, the damage is already done, the technology has been taken, replicated, and deployed. This dynamic allows China to continuously close the gap, not through original innovation, but through strategic acquisition of U.S. intellectual property. Nowhere is this more evident than in artificial intelligence. China’s approach targets the full ecosystem, models, algorithms, training data, and hardware, allowing it to rapidly replicate and advance technologies developed in the United States. Even outdated American data is being leveraged to accelerate these efforts, producing lower-cost alternatives that compete globally. Combined with a state-driven system that prioritizes speed and scale, this creates a structural advantage that cannot be ignored. Confronting this challenge will require recognizing it for what it is: a coordinated economic and technological offensive, not a series of isolated incidents.

The claim that “MCOOL doesn’t work” gets slaughtered under basic scrutiny. Mandatory Country of Origin Labelling (MCOOL) did exactly what it was built for: arm American consumers with straight-up transparency about where their beef was born, raised, and slaughtered. Before Congress gutted it in late 2015 under World Trade Organisation pressure from Canada and Mexico, shoppers could spot the difference between genuine U.S.-raised beef and imported product right there on the package. That simple label shifted real market behaviour. When people had the choice, plenty voted with their wallets for American beef, creating a clear price premium for domestic product that rewarded U.S. ranchers who pour sweat into raising it right. Opposition never came from the heart of cattle country. Independent ranchers, rural families, and everyday consumers all stood to gain from a system that let origin transparency reward quality and hard work. The real pushback roared from the Big Four packers, the consolidated giants who control roughly 85% of U.S. beef processing. These outfits profit big by blending cheaper imported beef with domestic supplies and selling the whole mix as a uniform “American” product. Without mandatory labels, they gain maximum flexibility to source globally, squeeze margins, and shift the burden onto producers who lose any ability to differentiate their U.S.-born cattle. The Packers have long argued “beef is beef”, whether it hails from Montana, Manitoba, or Mazatlán, exactly why they fought tooth and nail against MCOOL. The economic body blows were no theory; they were admitted by the industry itself. In the In Re Cattle Antitrust Litigation, major packers explicitly stated in court filings that repealing MCOOL “spurred additional imports and caused domestic cattle prices to fall.” USDA analyses and market data backed it up: beef labelled as a product of Canada or Mexico simply couldn’t command the same price as U.S.-origin beef when consumers could see the difference. The price gap reflected a real preference for American-raised products. Once labels vanished, that market signal got erased overnight, imports flowed freer, and the advantage for U.S. cattle producers evaporated, exactly as packers had leveraged. Without MCOOL, American consumers routinely shell out premium grocery prices for beef that may include foreign-born product, while U.S. ranchers watch origin value bleed away. The U.S. cattle herd has shrunk to levels not seen since the 1950s amid these pressures, and family ranches continue to disappear in states like Montana (down 25% since repeal, per some reports). MCOOL never blocked trade or dictated outcomes; it simply demanded honesty at the meat counter. When that transparency existed, markets and consumers responded by rewarding American agriculture. Bringing it back would restore that edge, not through mandates on outcomes, but by letting truth in labelling do the heavy lifting against a packer model that thrives in the dark.

This May, CPAC is proud to host a dynamic slate of events designed to celebrate conservative leadership, strengthen our movement, and bring together supporters from across the country. Explore our upcoming events below and stay tuned for more details. CPAC Beverly Hills Summit May 1, 2026, Waldorf Astoria, Beverly Hills, CA CPAC is bringing top business leaders and innovators together for an exclusive gathering in Beverly Hills. Learn More at CPAC.org/90210 CPAC Women Warriors Summit May 20-22, 2026, Washington DC At a pivotal moment for our nation, strong, principled women are stepping forward to lead—and CPAC is proud to provide a platform to unite and empower them. On May 20–22 in Washington DC, CPAC will host the inaugural Women Warriors Summit, a first-of-its-kind gathering dedicated to equipping and elevating women who are shaping the future of our country through leadership, advocacy, and action. Learn More at CPAC.org/WW