Lankford, Blackburn Call Out NEA For Creating “Enemies List” That May Target Concerned Parents

WASHINGTON, DC – Senator James Lankford (R-OK), along with Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), and Steve Daines (R-MT) sent a letter to National Education Association (NEA) President Becky Pringle demanding answers on the NEA’s plan to spend $140,000 to create an “enemies list” in an attempt to undermine parents and teachers, push CRT, and encourage revisionist biology in schools.

“We write regarding New Business Item 15 which was considered and adopted during the National Education Association’s (NEA) 2022 Representative Assembly. We are concerned that the NEA reportedly plans to spend $140,000 to create an ‘enemies list’ of groups that have been identified as ‘actively working to diminish a students’ right to honesty in education, freedom of sexual and gender identity, and teacher autonomy,’” the Senators wrote.

“Despite each year’s New Business Items being previously published on the NEA’s website for public access, New Business Item 15 is not currently reviewable by the public. An effort that seems designed to protect the NEA from scrutiny,” the Senators wrote.

View full letter HERE or below:

Dear Ms. Pringle:

We write regarding New Business Item 15 which was considered and adopted during the National Education Association’s (NEA) 2022 Representative Assembly. We are concerned that the NEA reportedly plans to spend $140,000 to create an ‘enemies list’ of groups that have been identified as “actively working to diminish a students’ right to honesty in education, freedom of sexual and gender identity, and teacher autonomy”.

As you know, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the education of millions of children who were forced to learn remotely. We are only beginning to realize the grievous implications of the public health emergency in terms of student learning loss, and the diminished social skills of children. The need to focus on our children, and the work involved with meeting their individual learning needs, has never been more critical. 

We are disturbed to know that the nation’s largest labor union, with over 3 million members working in public education, seems more concerned with advancing a ‘social justice’ agenda instead of meeting the needs of children and students who are experiencing catastrophic learning challenges.

Despite each year’s New Business Items being previously published on the NEA’s website for public access, New Business Item 15 is not currently reviewable by the public. An effort that seems designed to protect the NEA from scrutiny. Accordingly, we are requesting a copy of the contents of New Business Item 15. Moreover, please identify what purposes the ‘enemies list’ will serve, and describe how it will be used.

Sincerely,