Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., is calling on fellow lawmakers to consider revoking the congressional charter of the National Education Association (NEA), the nation's largest teachers' union. Cassidy, who chairs the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, expressed concerns that the union has not upheld its obligations under its 1906 charter, citing its alleged financial mismanagement and its ties to progressive organizations such as the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools.
Cassidy stated that these linked groups allegedly promote agendas that he described as justifying the Black Panther Party's actions and indoctrinating children with what he termed "gender extremism." "Children are struggling to read and to do basic math. Instead of helping students succeed, teachers’ unions are injecting a dangerous, anti-American agenda into our classrooms," Cassidy said. "Parents deserve to send their children to school without worrying that they will be indoctrinated with DEI and taught that Americans have ‘misplaced faith’ in our institutions."
While revoking the NEA's charter would not halt the union's operations, it would represent a significant reputational setback. Critics argue that the NEA, along with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has contributed to a decline in educational standards over decades, prioritizing political activism and increased compensation for members over academic outcomes. Allegations suggest that union dues have been spent on promoting what are described as "radical-left political causes."
Following the 2020 George Floyd protests, both the NEA and AFT reportedly increased their political activism, which critics claim led to the introduction of divisive political content in classrooms. Concerns have been raised about students being taught that America is inherently flawed, exposed to antisemitic tropes regarding Israel, and shown pornography as part of sex and gender education. Some educators have also been accused of socially transitioning students without parental consent. These issues, critics contend, have contributed to declining literacy and numeracy rates, particularly among vulnerable student populations.
In New York, for instance, nearly 30% of fourth-graders scored below basic proficiency in mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress, with 41% scoring below basic in reading, figures that are reportedly in line with national trends. The NEA's original charter mandated that the union "elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching; and to promote the cause of education in the United States."
Separately, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce began investigating the AFT in July concerning allegations that its president, Randi Weingarten, used union dues to fund the writing and promotion of a controversial book. Cassidy's call to examine the NEA's charter is seen by proponents as a necessary step toward ensuring that educational institutions prioritize academic learning.