GOP Targets NEA: Leftist Agenda?

How did the NEA, once a symbol of educational advancement, turn into a hotbed of political conspiracy trying to dismantle American values?

At a Glance

• Congressional Republicans have introduced a bill to revoke the National Education Association’s (NEA) federal charter.
• Lawmakers accuse the nation’s largest teachers’ union of becoming a left-wing advocacy group that has abandoned its educational mission.
• The move could set a groundbreaking precedent, as revoking a federal charter is an extremely rare event.
• The NEA’s focus has increasingly shifted from education to politics, sparking a fierce backlash from parents and conservative groups.

A Charter Under Fire

The National Education Association (NEA), chartered by Congress in 1906 to advance educational standards, is now facing a historic challenge to its very existence. A new bill, the National Education Association Charter Repeal Act, has been introduced by Republicans who argue the nation’s largest teachers’ union has become a vehicle for pushing a radical leftist agenda.

The bill’s sponsors, including Rep. Mark Harris (R-NC) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), say the move is a necessary response to the NEA’s recent political actions, including its open hostility to the Trump administration and its promotion of controversial social issues in schools. “Since the NEA is clearly not prioritizing students, parents, or even teachers, it’s time to remove Congress’s seal of approval from this rogue organization,” said Rep. Harris.

It’s past time to hold the NEA accountable! https://t.co/l4FBR2z2IN

— Rep. Mark Harris (@RepMarkHarrisNC) July 16, 2025

The Left’s Grip on America’s Classrooms

This legislative push is being championed by conservative advocacy groups like Moms for Liberty, who argue that parents, not politically motivated unions, know what is best for their children. They point to the NEA’s focus on “woke” ideology as proof that the organization has abandoned its original mission.

Democrats have staunchly opposed the move, painting it as an attack on public education and labor rights. But for millions of parents who have watched the union prioritize political activism over educational basics, this is a long-overdue reckoning.

A Battle for the Soul of Education

Repealing a federal charter is an extraordinary and rare measure. The last time such an action was taken against a major organization was in 1918, when Congress revoked the charter of the National German-American Alliance during World War I. While the immediate financial impact on the NEA, which is funded by member dues, would be minimal, the symbolic blow would be massive.

Supporters view the repeal as a justified action against an organization they believe is mired in promoting left-wing policies. This conflict underscores a broader, high-stakes battle over the future of American education—a battle to recalibrate the system to align with traditional family values and to restore the focus of our schools from political indoctrination back to education.