According to a new report by a conservative watchdog group, the two largest teacher unions in the country have invested tens of millions into leftist causes, even as union membership declines following the Supreme Court’s decision against mandatory union fees.
ED’s Defense Group, a nonprofit organization, published a report detailing the financial support provided by the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers to various left-leaning groups. They identified that since 2022, these unions have contributed a total of $43.5 million to political action committees and think tanks aligned with progressive ideologies.
Rhyen Staley, a researcher with ED’s Defense Group, remarked that the unions seem to prioritize political agendas and radical social justice over the education of children. He expressed concern that this focus is misplaced, suggesting it disappoints families and educators who want to enhance students’ skills in reading and math. Staley urged Congress to intervene and prevent public funds from being directed toward leftist identity politics.
Additionally, the report highlighted various left-wing charities—such as The Tides Network and Future Forward—that received nearly $1.5 million from the unions. The unions also made substantial contributions to candidates supporting leftist causes, including the Democratic Governors Association and other political committees.
Furthermore, organizations like the Center for American Progress received close to $1 million in donations from the unions, indicating a clear trend towards supporting left-oriented political activities.
Aaron Withs, an expert on public sector unions, noted that despite the NEA spending less than 10% of its budget on “special activities,” there’s a significant allocation toward lobbying and donations to leftist groups. He pointed out that, given declining membership, one might expect the unions to offer more value to their members, but instead, they seem to be doubling down on contentious ideological issues.
It appears this focus on political stances might just be the beginning, as Withs described it as “the tip of the iceberg.” Despite repeated attempts, neither the National Education Association nor the American Federation of Teachers responded to inquiries for comments on the matter.
