Records Show Teachers Unions Donated to All 16 Democrats on the Ed Committee — And Zero Republicans

Federal campaign finance records reviewed by The Center Square show the nation's two largest teachers unions directed thousands of dollars in contributions to Democratic members of Congress's education committees — with zero contributions found to any Republican member. This from Education reporter Esther Wickham's latest investigation in her ongoing union series. Key figures: - The NEA spent more than $51 million on political activity and lobbying in 2025. - The AFT spent more than $41 million (per data from Union Facts). - The two unions represent a combined 4.8 million members. - FEC records show the NEA contributed about $5,000 to each of the 16 Democratic members of the U.S. House Committee on Education and Labor. - The AFT contributed about $10,000 to each member of that committee across the 2025-2026 cycle. - The legal maximum is $10,000 per candidate — $5,000 for the primary, $5,000 for the general. - The Center Square found no contributions from either union to any Republican committee member. Read the full investigation at thecentersquare.com.