Learn NEA's position on pending legislation related to public education, and take action to protect our schools
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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Published: February 24, 2025
NEA fights for legislation ensuring all workers—both in the public and private sectors—the right to join a labor union and to bargain collectively for fair wages, workplace safety, and access to healthcare and retirement security.
Educators’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions; good working conditions for educators promote student learning and engagement. When educators come together to negotiate a fair contract with their employers, they can set limits on class size and address health and safety issues.
NEA and our labor union partners also continue to secure for women equal pay for equal work. On average, women still earn just 76 cents for every dollar earned by men, according to the National Partnership for Women & Families, with women of color and disabled women earning far less. It’s long past time for this to change.
Bills in Congress
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Support
S 4981 Living Wage for All Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on July 14, 2026
This legislation increases the federal minimum wage to 25 dollars an hour. The bill would also guarantee a living wage for workers by mandating automatic, continued increases of the federal minimum wage to two-thirds of the national median wage.
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Oppose
H R 9330 Earned Wage Access Consumer Protection Act www.congress.gov
Introduced on June 18, 2026
This bill exempts earned wage payday loans from the Truth in Lending Act (TILA), the Military Lending Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, and other federal laws. The bill preempts state laws that protect people from spiraling costs, endorses unaffordable loans that make workers pay to be paid, and facilitates new evasions by payday lenders.
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Support
S 4551 Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 www.congress.gov
Introduced on May 18, 2026
This bill would expand or strengthen overtime protections for up to 29.3 million workers by gradually increasing the overtime salary threshold to the 55th percentile of full-time salaried workers nationwide. While too many Americans are working longer hours for lower wages, the Restoring Overtime Pay Act will ensure American workers are paid fairly for all of the work they do.
Letters & Testimony
NEA speaks up for the rights of students. Browse recent messages to Congressional leadership, and add your voice.
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Reject Bills that Make Schools Less Safe
Submitted on July 20, 2026
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Comments for Senate markup of FY27 National Defense Authorization Act
Submitted on June 8, 2026
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Comments on FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act
Submitted on June 3, 2026
Professional Pay
Competitive pay is crucial for attracting and retaining qualified educators for our students, throughout their academic journeys.
Health Benefits & Policy
NEA strongly supports access to quality, affordable, and comprehensive health care coverage for all residents of the United States.
Pensions & Retirement Security
Pensions are crucial to attracting and retaining qualified, experienced educators in the profession. And that's worth fighting for.
Job & Career Security
No matter their age, from Pre-K to higher ed, our students benefit when all educators—janitorial staff, paraeducators, and college professors alike—are treated like the professionals they are.
Advocating for Change
NEA helps build collective action for competitive pay, health benefits, and retirement security so we can attract and retain the best educators for our students.
We're speaking up for our students and public schools. Visit our Action Center to find out what you can do.
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Jump to updates, opportunities, and resources for NEA state and local affiliates.
Collaborating for Student Success
Successful collaboration requires commitment. The Collaborating for Student Success guidebook includes a comprehensive framework for successful collaboration, grounded in research and on-the-ground practice, as well as a number of tools to support you in your own collaboration efforts.
