S. 2428: Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act

This bill, officially titled the "Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act" or "STUDENT Act," proposes several significant changes regarding the National Education Association (NEA), the largest teachers' union in the United States, which has a federal charter. Here are the main components of the bill:

Findings

The bill outlines a series of findings that criticize the NEA for straying from its original mission of promoting education. Some points include:

• The NEA has become heavily focused on political activities rather than solely on educational issues.
• It's noted that a majority of NEA’s political contributions have supported Democratic candidates.
• The NEA has been accused of advocating progressive policies and engaging in lobbying efforts, potentially impacting school operations and curricula.

Membership Classification

The bill amends the membership eligibility criteria for the NEA and its affiliates, stipulating the following:

• The NEA can only accept membership dues directly from employees or through fees if the employees are informed of their rights to refrain from joining or paying dues.
• Employees must provide clear consent to become members and authorize payment of dues without payroll deductions.
• Membership cancellations must be processed swiftly.

Requirements

This section outlines new requirements that the NEA must follow to maintain its federal charter:

• The NEA cannot participate in political activities or influence legislation.
• The organization must not discriminate against any individual based on race, gender, or other protected characteristics.
• All officers of the NEA must be U.S. citizens.
• The organization must report annually to Congress on its activities.
• The NEA is liable for its actions and must keep accurate records of its operations.

Strategies and Conduct

The bill specifies prohibitions on certain conduct by the NEA and its affiliates:

• They must not require members or staff to adhere to beliefs that label the U.S. as fundamentally racist or sexist.
• They must not press any educational institutions to adopt specific progressive beliefs.
• Participation in strikes or work stoppages affecting state or local governments is prohibited.

Tax Exemption Repeal

The bill repeals the NEA's current property tax exemption in the District of Columbia, which means that the NEA would no longer benefit from this financial relief. This change implies a shift in the financial obligations of the organization.

Enforcement and Compliance

The Attorney General of the United States is empowered to take legal action against the NEA if it fails to comply with the new standards established by this bill.

Relevant Companies

None found.