Senate Committee Chair Urges Review of Teachers Union Charter

The chairman of a key Senate committee is encouraging Congress to re-examine the charter of the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers union in the U.S., citing ties to leftist groups and questionable financial activities.

The NEA, representing about three million educators, has recently faced criticism for supporting liberal causes, accusations of antisemitism, and spending member dues on political campaigns. Senator Bill Cassidy, a Republican leading the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, has called for his colleagues to review the NEA’s congressional charter.

Parents deserve to send their children to school without worrying they will be indoctrinated, Cassidy said to Fox News Digital.

A report highlights the NEA’s links with educational nonprofits like the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools, known for promoting materials favorable to the Black Panther Party and its controversial activities.

Cassidy’s report voices concerns over the compatibility of such ideologies with the U.S. Constitution. The Black Panthers, noted for their militant stance, were involved in violent clashes and advocated for armed resistance.

Rethinking Schools also came under scrutiny for educational materials encouraging students to role-play as LGBTQ activists opposing the ‘Religious Right’, and introducing such themes into elementary education.

The NEA has collaborated with these nonprofits, offering them visibility at conferences and integrating their materials into teacher guidelines.

The report indicates the NEA’s involvement in left-wing activism, including their role in the 2026 May Day protests against former President Donald Trump. During these events, educators were encouraged to integrate activism into classroom activities, affecting even young children.

Financially, the NEA has reportedly directed substantial funds to advocacy groups and political committees, primarily supporting left-leaning causes. Allegations include funding organizations that later provided lucrative positions for former union officials.

The report questions the transparency and purpose of such financial dealings concerning union members’ dues.

The NEA’s financial support included contributions to the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the Tides Foundation, both influential Democratic-aligned entities.

Cassidy’s report also addresses accusations of antisemitism within the union. A letter from 2025 indicates Jewish members faced discrimination and harassment during union events.

Criticism extended to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), although unchartered by Congress, for similar actions, including protests and advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues and significant funding toward liberal initiatives.

No responses were received from the NEA, AFT, or affiliated organizations when approached by Fox News Digital.

The scrutiny coincides with leadership changes within the NEA, as Princess R. Moss begins her term as president, following Becky Pringle’s six-year leadership.