A new report from a watchdog group reveals that America’s two largest teachers unions have spent more than $43.5 million funding left-wing political causes and organizations since 2022 — raising concerns that the groups are prioritizing partisan agendas over students’ educational outcomes.
The report, released last week by Defending Education, outlines the political contributions of the National Education Association (NEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), based on the unions’ required disclosures to the U.S. Department of Labor.
“It is clear that the teachers unions’ priorities are advancing far-left politics and radical social justice issues, not the education of children,” said Defending Ed researcher Rhyen Staley in comments to Fox News.
“This is a slap in the face to families and teachers who want to focus on helping students improve their reading and math skills.”
Where the Money Went
According to the report $1.5 million was directed to prominent left-wing “dark money” groups, including the Tides Network, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, the New Venture Fund and Future Forward, a pro–Kamala Harris political action group.
Millions more were channeled to Democratic campaign arms, such as the Democratic Governors Association, the House Majority PAC and the Senate Majority PAC.
Nearly $1 million was donated to the Center for American Progress and its lobbying arm, a key left-leaning think tank.
The watchdog group also cited union support for smaller, activist-aligned organizations that back controversial social policies, including gender ideology in schools, anti-police rhetoric, and radical education reform frameworks.
Critics Say It’s About Politics, Not Students
Aaron Withe, CEO of the Freedom Foundation and an expert on public-sector unions, called the findings “alarming” and accused the NEA and AFT of abandoning their core mission.
“The NEA spent 38 percent of its budget on funding left-wing groups and causes,” Withe said. “Only 10 percent went to what they call ‘representational activities’ — actually helping their members.”
Withe noted that union membership among educators has declined in recent years, yet leadership continues to double down on ideologically charged causes rather than focusing on improving school quality or advocating for classroom resources.
“Instead, they are appeasing the radical base of union members by advocating for men in women’s sports, gender transitions for minors, antisemitic rhetoric, and other fringe positions,” Withe added.
He called the report “just the tip of the iceberg,” pointing out that thousands of state, city, and county-level teachers unions are often funding the same political movements.
Context: Education Under Fire
The report adds fuel to an ongoing national debate over the role of ideology in public education. Following the pandemic and increased visibility of curriculum, many parents and policymakers have voiced concerns about politicized curriculum in K–12 schools (including teacher training influenced by critical race theory or gender theory) and declining academic performance nationwide, especially in reading and math.
Conservative leaders have accused major teachers unions of working more as political machines than as representatives of educators and students.
Meanwhile, union leaders have defended their political activism as promotion of equity, inclusion, and student well-being, arguing that social justice is central to public education.
Calls for Congressional Oversight
Defending Education’s report ends with a call for Congress to investigate the financial practices of public-sector unions — particularly those that receive dues from teachers whose salaries are funded with taxpayer dollars.
“It is time that Congress acts to stop this obscene redistribution of public monies to advance left-wing identity politics,” said Staley.
As the 2026 midterms approach, education remains a hot-button issue — and with over $43 million in politically charged spending now under scrutiny, teachers unions could find themselves once again in the center of the storm.
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