On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Harris, R-NC08, introduced a bill alongside Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-TN, to repeal the congressional charter of the nation’s largest teachers’ union, the National Education Association (NEA).
According to a press release from Harris’ office, the NEA voted to support LGBTQ-related events in public schools and to cut all ties with the Anti-Defamation League.
“Congress established the NEA in 1906 to support America’s teachers and strengthen our schools, but it has abandoned that mission in favor of a radical agenda,” said Harris in a press release. “From branding President Trump a fascist to embracing divisive gender ideology and walking away from efforts to fight antisemitism, the NEA has become nothing more than a partisan advocacy group. Since the NEA is clearly not prioritizing students, parents or even teachers, it’s time to remove Congress’ seal of approval from this rogue organization.”
During the NEA’s 2025 Representative Assembly, delegates voted to forward a recommendation to the NEA and the NEA Executive Committee not to endorse, use, or publicize materials from the ADL or participate in their programs.
“As educators, we are committed to ensuring students of every race, religion or national origin have safe and welcoming spaces to learn and grow,” said NEA President Becky Pringle in a statement. “The National Education Association and its members are unequivocally committed to the cause of educating, organizing against, and combating all forms of hate and discrimination, including antisemitism and anti-Palestinian bigotry. This is a fundamental principle we will never abandon.
“Antisemitism is a very real and urgent problem in this country and throughout the world. It is an insidious hate and cancer. NEA is committed to combating this hate in our classrooms, on our campuses, and in our communities. This commitment was evident at the 2025 Representative Assembly, where NEA hosted a panel about how to combat antisemitism, honored Holocaust survivor and educator Maud Dahme at our annual Human and Civil Rights Awards, and voted to honor Jewish American Heritage Month, among other meaningful events and actions.”
The bill would repeal a federal charter granted to the NEA under US Code Chapter 115, Title 36.