This paper examines the positive relationship that exists between Christian Right influence in state Republican parties and the introduction of phonics bills. Prior to 1990, phonics language appeared in the statutes of only three states: Arizona, New Mexico, and Ohio. Since 1990, 101 bills encouraging or requiring the use of phonics as a teaching methodology have been introduced in state legislatures. From 1990 through 1994, the mean number of phonics bills was 3.2 bills yearly. From 1995 through 1997, the mean number of phonics bills was 28.3 yearly. More recent bills are likely to have highly detailed language; 28 bills have been enacted. Although phonics advocates include individuals holding a wide spectrum of religious and/or political views, phonics bills are more likely to be introduced by Republican legislators or in states where the Christian Right has substantial or dominant influence in the state's Republican Party. States that experienced challenges to Harcourt's whole-language reading series "Impressions" are more likely to have had phonics bills. Included are 19 explanatory footnotes. (Author/MLH)