Teachers unions have funneled more than $1 billion into left-wing political causes over the past decade, including direct support for Planned Parenthood and other groups promoting abortion, a new watchdog report has revealed.
According to research from Defending Education, the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers, along with their state and local affiliates, directed roughly $669 million from national unions toward left-wing political groups, advocacy organizations and campaigns since 2015.
When state and local spending is included, the total exceeds $1 billion.
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The reports, based on federal filings and campaign finance records, show unions funding a broad network of progressive organizations. Among the recipients are Planned Parenthood, Color of Change + PAC, Indivisible, the National Center for Transgender Equality, the Sixteen Thirty Fund, New Venture Fund and the Human Rights Campaign Foundation.
Defending Education President Nicole Neily criticized the use of union dues, which come from teachers’ paychecks.
“It’s time to dispense with the myth that unions care whatsoever about teachers’ best interests. Educators are victims of a bait-and-switch: instead of their dues going to advocate for increased pay or improved working environments, they’re being spent advancing a hard-left political agenda, underwriting causes such as climate change, gender activism, and abortion (as well as supporting progressive politicians at all levels),” Neily said.
Rhyen Staley, research director at Defending Education, described the unions as “a political machine.”
“These entities are a political machine,” Staley said. “Show me your budget and I will show you what you value; and what the teachers unions value is political power and advancing a left wing, social justice agenda.”
The spending includes tens of millions to major Democratic-aligned political committees such as the Senate Majority PAC and House Majority PAC, more than $85 million directly to Democratic Party entities, and significant sums to groups like the State Engagement Fund and For Our Future Action Fund.
Pro-life advocates have long warned that teachers union dollars help bankroll the abortion industry at the expense of classroom priorities and the consciences of many educators who oppose abortion.
The latest figures underscore how compulsory union dues are being weaponized to advance a radical agenda, including support for abortion providers like Planned Parenthood, rather than focusing on improving education for American children.
