Teachers Unions Spent Over $930 Million on Political Activity, Watchdog Report Finds
The National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers funneled hundreds of millions into lobbying and advocacy groups over a decade, according to the North American Values Institute.
Two of the nation's largest teachers unions, the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), collectively spent more than $930 million on political activities, lobbying, and advocacy groups between fiscal years 2016 and 2025, according to an investigation by the North American Values Institute (NAVI). The nonprofit watchdog tracks ideological activism in education.
The NEA alone spent at least $547 million on political activity and advocacy during the specified period. This total includes $458.9 million designated for political activity and lobbying, alongside an additional $88.2 million in direct funding to progressive advocacy organizations. NAVI reported that the NEA finances its political endeavors partly through a $10 dues increase for a ballot-measure and media fund, projected to generate over $20 million annually.
According to NAVI, a significant portion of the NEA's spending, totaling $80.2 million, was directed to intermediary political groups such as the State Engagement Fund, Strategic Victory Fund, and State Victory Fund LLC. The report notes that channeling funds through these intermediaries makes it difficult for union members to track the ultimate destination of their dues. The NEA's super PAC, the NEA Advocacy Fund, received $116.9 million over the decade. The union also allocated $30.1 million to Education International, a global federation of teachers unions that includes the General Union of Palestinian Teachers, which NAVI identifies as affiliated with the Palestine Liberation Organization.
The AFT reported $383.2 million in political activity and lobbying expenditures during the same 10-year timeframe. Of this, $331.95 million in itemized political payments included $123.35 million to outside political organizations and committees, $179.99 million to affiliates and internal accounts, and $28.6 million to vendors and consultants. NAVI found that four national partisan political committees received a combined $45.7 million from the AFT.
The AFT's political spending extended to various causes beyond traditional education bargaining. The union reportedly spent $1 million on an Ohio redistricting measure, $1 million on Oregon's Measure 97, $1 million on California's Proposition 15, and $1.125 million across Wisconsin Supreme Court election cycles. Additionally, the AFT provided at least $2.08 million in identifiable payments to Education International.
NAVI concluded that the political activities of both the NEA and AFT extended beyond core education policy into broader campaigns concerning elections, redistricting, tax policy, foreign relations, and ideological advocacy. The report highlighted that funds routed through intermediary groups make it challenging for rank-and-file union members to discern how their contributions are being utilized for political purposes.
Neither the AFT nor the NEA immediately responded to requests for comment.