Republican lawmakers are pushing to revoke the federal charter of the nation’s largest teachers union. The National Education Association, the only labor union in the United States with a congressional charter, is facing renewed scrutiny from Republicans after it adopted several controversial anti-Trump resolutions during its annual convention.
New legislation introduced to repeal charter
New legislation introduced Wednesday, July 16, by North Carolina Rep. Mark Harris and Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn seeks to repeal the NEA’s federal charter.
“The National Education Association’s time is over,” Harris said. “The NEA was created to champion America’s teachers and serve our schools. But it has spiraled into a partisan machine that’s more about radical ideology than education.”
NEA convention resolutions spark backlash
The move to revoke the NEA’s charter follows the leak of internal documents detailing a series of political resolutions passed at the union’s Portland, Oregon, convention.
According to the leaked documents obtained by conservative education advocate Corey DeAngelis, among the resolutions passed at the annual convention was a commitment to use the term fascism in NEA materials to describe President Donald Trump’s policies. The union also pledged funding and support for the “No Kings” movement, which opposes Trump’s leadership.
Delegates also voted to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League, citing disagreements over the organization’s stance on the Israel-Hamas war. Another resolution labeled Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Department of Education as “illegal, anti-democratic and racist,” according to the documents.
Additionally, the NEA approved a $200,000 investment in training materials to help teachers incorporate LGBTQ+ content into their classroom instruction.
NEA responds to ADL referendum
The NEA released a statement regarding its resolution to not use, endorse or publicize any materials from the ADL.
“As educators, we are committed to ensuring students of every race, religion or national origin have safe and welcoming spaces to learn and grow,” NEA President Becky Pringle said. “The National Education Association and its members are unequivocally committed to the cause of educating, organizing against, and combating all forms of hate and discrimination, including antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bigotry. This is a fundamental principle we will never abandon.”
Union under the microscope
The NEA represents more than 3 million teachers and school staff across the country. According to campaign finance watchdog OpenSecrets, 98% of the NEA’s political donations during the 2024 election cycle went to Democratic candidates.
The NEA does not receive federal funding. The union’s federal charter is largely symbolic, serving as a mark of prestige which can boost its public image, aid in member recruitment and strengthen its influence in education.
Previous attempt to revoke NEA charter failed
This is not the first time Republican lawmakers have tried to strip the NEA of its federal charter. Similar legislation introduced in 2022 by two GOP members of Congress failed to gain traction.
