Legislation Aims to Prohibit Lobbying by Nation’s Largest Teachers’ Union, Citing Concerns Over Political Activism and Departure from Core Mission
U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) Tuesday introduced the Terminating Education Association Congressional Handouts (TEACH) Act, aiming to prohibit the National Education Association (NEA) from influencing federal government decisions. This move follows Senator Blackburn’s earlier legislation seeking to revoke the NEA’s congressional charter, a status uniquely held among labor unions.
Senator Blackburn stated that the NEA “has abandoned its mission of supporting America’s teachers and students in the name of pushing its far-left political agenda.” She further criticized the organization, asserting it “has become nothing more than a radical-left activist group, and it has no business using its status as a congressionally chartered entity to push woke gender ideology, antisemitism, and propaganda on America’s students.”
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The TEACH Act seeks to ban the NEA from engaging in lobbying activities and would require the association to submit an annual certification to the Secretary of Education affirming its non-engagement in such attempts. A violation of this prohibition could lead to the termination of the NEA’s status as a federally chartered corporation.
The introduction of the TEACH Act comes amidst a backdrop of escalating tensions between conservative lawmakers and the NEA. Senator Blackburn’s office cited several instances to support its claims of the NEA’s “blatant political bias” and “clear departure from the organization’s intended purpose.” These include:
- Political Donations: In the 2024 election cycle, 98 percent of NEA political donations were directed to Democrats.
- Partnerships and Advocacy: In 2023, the NEA partnered with the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN).
- Curriculum Stance: In July 2021, the NEA adopted measures to support critical race theory.
- School Reopening Debates: The NEA was cited for hindering school reopenings in 2020 and 2021, including allegations of threatening strikes and influencing CDC guidance.
- Controversies: The NEA faced criticism for reportedly erasing the word “Jewish” when referencing the Holocaust in their handbook, later removing the handbook from their website.
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Senator Blackburn, along with U.S. Representative Mark Harris (R-N.C.), previously introduced the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act to fully revoke the NEA’s congressional charter. The TEACH Act represents a more targeted approach to restrict the organization’s federal influence.
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