Teacher Unions’ $43.5 Million Contributions to Liberal Causes
WASHINGTON – Since 2022, the two biggest teacher unions in the United States have funneled over $43.5 million to liberal advocacy organizations. A recent report from a conservative watchdog group highlights significant donations made to the Democratic Party’s Political Action Committee (PAC) in preparation for the 2024 election.
The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and the National Education Association (NEA) collectively contributed $43,524,123 from mid-2022 to mid-2024. This figure is primarily based on the unions’ disclosures to the Department of Labor.
The money has largely supported left-leaning initiatives, including gun control advocacy, efforts for minor racial “equity” and gender transitions, as well as promoting access to abortion services.
“This sheds light on the priorities of NEA and AFT, and they don’t quite align with the needs of American schools,” remarked Sarah Partial Perry, a vice president and legal fellow in education.
Perry continued, “The unions don’t focus on educating children. They seem to be more invested in spending money and complaining about how parents are involved in their kids’ education. Their leftist agenda doesn’t address improving educational standards in any meaningful way.”
The contributions encompassed $9.3 million directed towards various PACs, working mainly in key battleground states for the upcoming 2024 elections.
Additionally, $1.6 million was allocated to the House Majority PAC, with the Senate Majority PAC receiving $1.25 million, and another $250,000 went to a PAC that backed Kamala Harris’s campaign in the previous election cycle.
AFT President Randy Weingarten, known for her support of former President Biden’s 2020 campaign, faced criticism early in the Biden administration for influencing public health officials to close schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Both AFT and NEA urged the Biden administration to postpone the return to in-person classes in the spring of 2021.
Weingarten also reportedly misrepresented scientific findings regarding the safety of returning children to classrooms when she spoke before Congress about COVID-19, according to researchers involved in the studies.
As of early 2022, the Biden administration announced that 95% of public schools in the U.S. had transitioned back to full-time in-person learning.
Moreover, $500,000 was contributed to the Sixteen Thirty Fund, a nonprofit linked to dark money activities.
Recently, former President Trump called out liberal billionaire George Soros and his son Alex, suggesting there should be legal consequences for their collaboration with organizations contributing over $20 million to protests against crime enforcement in Washington, D.C.
The NEA also allocated $100,000 to the Trevor Project, which has faced scrutiny for its stance on gender transitions.
“Teachers’ unions have become overly political, giving 99% of their contributions to Democrats,” noted Erika Sanji, director of education outreach. “This report clearly shows that they are investing substantial amounts in left-wing organizations that undermine academic excellence and promote harmful ideologies. Students and school staff need protection from these influences.”
According to Aaron Withe, CEO of the Freedom Foundation, nearly 40% of the NEA’s budget is dedicated to political advocacy. “Given the decline in membership recently, you’d think they’d focus on delivering value that justifies membership costs,” he remarked. “Instead, they’re focusing on radical agendas, such as supporting men in women’s sports and tackling minors’ issues rather than prioritizing educational needs.”
In 2020, AFT contributed over $2.6 million to Democratic candidates, while NEA donated over $2.4 million during the same timeframe, according to political donation tracking sources.
