A leading Senate committee chair is asking Congress to reassess the charter of the National Education Association (NEA), highlighting its leftist affiliations and controversial financial practices.

The NEA, which represents around three million educators, has faced criticism in recent years. It has been accused of supporting liberal campaigns, failing to address antisemitism within its ranks, and spending membership dues on left-wing causes.

Calls for Investigation

Senator Bill Cassidy, head of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, has requested that lawmakers examine the NEA’s congressional charter. He expressed concerns about the union’s influence on education, emphasizing a need for unbiased school environments.

Cassidy’s report identifies organizations like the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools, with whom the NEA has extensively collaborated. These groups produce materials supporting controversial ideologies and political groups, such as the Black Panther Party.

Controversial Collaborations

The NEA’s partnerships with nonprofits promoting political activism and LGBTQ+ issues are under scrutiny. Their activities extend to hosting educational events and producing teaching materials, sparking debate over educational content in schools.

Financial Concerns

Financially, the NEA has redirected hundreds of millions to advocacy groups and political committees, predominantly supporting left-leaning entities. The report questions whether members fully understand how their dues are used and whether the expenditures align with their initial mission.

Organizations like the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the Tides Foundation, known for significant political influence, are among the recipients of NEA contributions.

Allegations of Antisemitism and Protest Participation

The report also mentions challenges within the union related to representing Jewish educators, citing prior incidents of antisemitism faced by the union’s Jewish Affairs Caucus.

Both the NEA and the American Federation of Teachers have been involved in various protests and boycotts, raising questions about their focus and adherence to their foundational goals.

The NEA’s new leadership under Princess R. Moss begins as these issues unfold, following Becky Pringle’s six-year tenure as president.