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Union Bosses Have No Place In Public Education

April 20, 2022

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Doug Lamborn recently joined Congressman Scott Fitzgerald and RSC Chairman Jim Banks in introducing the National Educational Association Charter Repeal Act (H.R. 7510). This pro-student bill repeals the federal charter granted to the National Education Association (NEA).

Since its charter in 1906, the NEA has abandoned its core mission to "elevate the character and advance the interests of the teaching profession and promote the cause of education in the United States." Instead, during the last few years, the NEA has supported partisan initiatives like closing our nation's schools, abortion, the inclusion of critical race theory and radical gender ideology in curriculums, and open borders.

"Union bosses should not have a seat at the table for public education," said Congressman Lamborn. "The National Education Association has abandoned the educational interests of students and instead has led a coordinated left-wing effort to use our schools to promote political activism and force teachers to integrate critical race theory into our children's classrooms. The NEA has even gone so far as to attack critics of CRT and solicit the help of social media companies to censure concerned parents who oppose the racial indoctrination of their children. Parents, not liberal teachers' unions, should be in charge of their children's education. I thank my colleagues Congressmen Fitzgerald and Banks, for leading this important effort."

"The National Education Association has strayed far from its original mission," said Congressman Fitzgerald. "Rather than supporting students, the NEA consistently put the interests of progressive teachers' unions over the learning of students. It is time for Congress to say enough is enough and revoke the NEA's federal charter."

"I was happy to partner with Rep. Fitzgerald on this important piece of legislation," said Chairman Banks. "There is now no daylight between the NEA's agenda and the radical left's agenda. Worst of all, the NEA strongly supports teaching 5-year-old children about adult sexual behavior. Their mission used to be education, now it's indoctrination and pitting American children against their parents' values.

"Congress represents all Americans, and this bill will end Congress's tacit support for an organization that now only represents narrow, partisan interests."

Background:

Congress chartered the NEA in 1906, and it is the only congressionally chartered labor union. In the 2020 cycle, the NEA gave 95.7 percent of its candidate campaign donations to Democrats. In addition, according to disclosures made to the Office of Labor-Management Standards, from September 2019 to August 2021, the NEA spent over $116.7 million on political activities and lobbying.

The NEA has increasingly supported Democrat initiatives such as nationwide school lockdowns, abortion, critical race theory (CRT), gender ideology in curriculums, and open borders.

Congress originally charted the NEA in 1906, and is the only congressionally chartered labor union. During the 2020 elections, over 95 percent of NEA staffers gave money to Democrats.

The organization also spent over $116.7 million on political activists and lobbying.

In December 2021, an NEA board member asserted on social media that unvaccinated individuals who claim religious exemptions deserve to die.

After receiving threats from the NEA to criticize CDC policies, the Biden Administration tightened its masking guidance.

Conservative and pro-life organizations support the legislation, including the American Principles Project, America First Policy Institute (AFPI), Club for Growth, Concern Women for America, For America, Heritage Action for America, Independent Women's Voice, National Right to Work Committee, and Young America's Foundation.

See coverage of the bill as featured in Fox News here.