Sen. Bill Cassidy, the Republican chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), is calling for a review of the National Education Association's (NEA) congressional charter, citing the nation's largest teachers union's associations with far-left organizations and its financial activities.
In a report released by the HELP committee, Cassidy highlights the NEA's collaborations with the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools, two non-profits that have published curriculum materials criticized for glorifying the Black Panther Party and promoting LGBTQ+ topics in elementary grades. The report argues that the ideologies promoted by these groups are incompatible with the U.S. Constitution.
Cassidy stated that the NEA's current activities have strayed from its original 1906 charter, which aimed to "elevate the character and advance the interests of the profession of teaching; and to promote the cause of education in the United States." He expressed concern that teachers' unions are prioritizing "a dangerous, anti-American agenda" over core academic skills like reading and math, which he noted are currently struggling among students.
According to the report, the NEA has partnered with the Zinn Education Project and Rethinking Schools for curriculum development, distributed their lesson plans, and provided speaking opportunities at union conferences. The report also points to the NEA's involvement in left-wing protest movements, including the 2026 May Day protests, and mentions that educators were reportedly advised to "bring activism into the classroom" for students as young as three years old.
The union has also faced scrutiny over its financial contributions. Since 2015, the NEA has reportedly allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to advocacy organizations and political action committees, predominantly those with left-leaning platforms. These include organizations like the Sixteen Thirty Fund and the Tides Foundation, described in the report as major Democratic-aligned "dark money" operations. The NEA's own PAC has also predominantly supported Democratic candidates.
Cassidy's report also addresses allegations of antisemitism within the union. It cites a letter from the NEA's Jewish Affairs Caucus claiming that its members experienced "shunning, harassment and antisemitic comments" at the union's annual assembly. The report questions whether union members receive adequate transparency regarding the use of their dues and if adequate safeguards are in place against conflicts of interest.
While not congressionally chartered, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) also drew criticism in Cassidy's report for similar reasons, including its participation in protests and advocacy on LGBTQ+ issues, as well as significant financial contributions to liberal causes.
The NEA is currently transitioning to new leadership, with Princess R. Moss beginning a three-year term as president, succeeding Becky Pringle. The union, along with the AFT, Rethinking Schools, and the Zinn Education Project, did not respond to requests for comment from Fox News Digital.