Teachers' Unions Funnel Over $96 Million to Political Activities in Recent Fiscal Year

Teachers' unions are facing intensified scrutiny over their substantial political expenditures, with recent reports indicating that the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) collectively directed over $96 million towards political activities in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. This financial allocation has drawn sharp criticism from groups like Parents Defending Education (PDE), which argues that the unions' priorities have shifted away from core educational objectives.

Nicki Neily, President of Parents Defending Education, articulated this concern in a social media post, stating, > "Teachers' unions' priorities are crystal clear, and they're not education." She and other critics contend that these significant financial flows underscore a growing trend where educational organizations become deeply entrenched in partisan political agendas. A PDE report, "DivertED: Teachers' Unions Spend $40+ Million of Dues on Far-Left Causes," specifically highlighted millions directed to organizations involved in critical race theory, gender ideology, and environmental activism.

For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the NEA, the nation's largest teachers' union, reportedly spent over $50 million on political activities, with 98.96% of these contributions benefiting Democratic candidates and left-leaning organizations. Similarly, the AFT spent $46.9 million on political endeavors, with 99.90% directed towards Democrats and aligned groups. These funds have supported various political action committees, including the For Our Future Action Fund PAC, House Majority PAC, Senate Majority PAC, and Future Forward, a super PAC supporting Kamala Harris's campaign.

Critics argue that such substantial political spending diverts resources that could otherwise be used to directly improve educational outcomes or support teachers in the classroom. Representative Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), Chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, has asserted that "Teachers unions are using their members' dues to push their radical agenda, and it's hurting our kids," advocating for greater transparency in union financial practices. Concerns also persist regarding the unions' influence on school closure decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic and their promotion of specific social ideologies within schools.

In response, the NEA and AFT maintain that their political engagement is vital for advocating on behalf of public education and their members. An NEA spokesperson emphasized that their "political engagement is essential to ensuring that educators have a voice in the decisions that affect their professions and their students' learning conditions." The unions state their mission includes championing justice and excellence in public education, advocating for competitive salaries, and fostering supportive learning environments for all students.

The ongoing debate over the allocation of teachers' union funds highlights a fundamental disagreement about the role and priorities of these powerful organizations. As public education continues to face challenges, the financial decisions of major teachers' unions remain a central point of contention between those who see them as essential advocates for educators and those who view their political activities as a distraction from core educational goals.