(These New Business Items are listed in the order in which they were debated.) Also see EON/BAMN’s policy statement to the NEA RA, “Teachers and Students – The Natural Leaders in the Fight to Save Democracy and Human Rights from the Trump Government’s Fascist Attacks.”
NBI 58
The NEA declares its support for and participation in the mass democratic movement against Trump’s authoritarianism and violations of human rights. We support the “No Kings” movement and the Los Angeles based movement to defeat Trump’s attempts to use federal forces against the state of California and other states and communities.
We stand with millions of activists and protesters of this movement in their defense of democracy, the unity of the country, free speech, civil rights, labor, independent trade union rights, due process, and the popular-democratic norms of a Constitution securing the sovereignty of “we the people.”
Rationale — The Trump government and movement have displayed an ever-deepening commitment to the historic aims of fascism and a constantly growing use of the methods of fascism. Inevitably, the NEA stands for everything Trump and Trumpism are driven to destroy.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 59
The NEA defends Birthright Citizenship and opposes the attempt to revert to pre-civil rights movement – Jim Crow – legal concepts of “states rights” in order to deny citizenship to the children of immigrants.
We will use existing media platforms to organize and join actions with other unions, communities, immigrant rights, and civil rights organizations in opposition to the Trump administration’s attack on it.
Rationale — No case before the Supreme Court is more important. This case will settle the question of whether the majority of the Court will continue to act as the enabler of President Donald Trump’s plan to make America a fascist nation.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 60
The NEA Pledges to Defend Democracy Against Trump’s embrace of Fascism by using the term fascism in NEA materials to correctly characterize Donald Trump’s program and actions.
The members and material resources of the NEA must be committed to the defense of the democratic and educational conditions required by our hopes for a just society and the survival of civilization itself by stating the truth.
Rationale — The Trump government and movement are displaying an ever-deepening commitment to the historic aims of fascism and a constantly growing use of the methods of fascism. NEA stands for everything Trump and Trumpism – 21st-century American fascism – are driven to destroy.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 65*
*NBI 65 has been amended by the maker and now reads:
NEA declares its commitment to join with millions of defenders of democracy, equality, and humane values, marching and mobilizing across America and around the world against the rise of fascism. In particular, the NEA condemns the vicious cruelty and systemic ethnic-cleansing and genocide of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank by the Netanyahu government. The NEA demands an end to US aid to Israel. We will publicize these positions on our website and take available opportunities to participate in mass actions.
Rationale — The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) and American mercenaries in Gaza have admitted they’ve fired live ammunition on Palestinians picking up food. One IDF soldier in Gaza said, “I felt like we were the Nazis and they were the Jews.” (Haaretz)
RULED OUT OF ORDER BY THE CHAIR JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 66
The NEA will use existing media channels to oppose Trump’s move to eliminate the Department of Education as an illegal, anti-democratic and racist attempt to destroy public education and privatize it in the interests of the billionaires. This communication will also explicitly and vigorously defend the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), special education and other progressive programs administered by the Department of Education.
Rationale — We defend the gains of students, our union and the civil rights movement against Trump’s authoritarian regime.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 50
The NEA Opposes US War Against Iran and calls for US Hands Off Iran. We will publicize our opposition by all possible means.
Rationale — The US’s use of bunker bombs to attempt to destroy Iran’s nuclear capacity paves the way for a US ground invasion of Iran and military escalation in the Middle East leading to World War III.
NOT ADOPTED ON JULY 5, 2025.
NBI 63
The NEA opposes ICE kidnapping of student leaders and supports student’s right to organize against ICE raids and deportations. We will protect our students’ right to free speech and defend their right to dissent and organize against Trump’s policies, including attacks against LGBT+ students and against racism. NEA will use existing media platforms to organize and join actions with other unions, communities, immigrant rights, and civil rights organizations in support of defending students’ right to protest.
Rationale — We must stop ICE from entering our communities, workplaces, campuses, and schools and deporting our students and family members. Trump is weak and we can defeat him if we unite to stop the kidnapping of our students and families.
ADOPTED BY THE NATIONAL EDUCATION ASSOCIATION JULY 5, 2025.
