S. 2428 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, Jul 24, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryChanges rules for National Education Association
This bill revises the federal charter that governs how the National Education Association (a teachers union) operates. It would require that teachers only pay membership dues if they've been clearly notified of their right to opt out and have actively agreed in writing, without using automatic payroll deductions. The bill also sets new rules for the organization itself, including limits on political activity by the union and its leaders, requirements for annual reporting to Congress, and restrictions on strikes or work stoppages.
How it affects you
If you're a teacher who's a member of the National Education Association or one of its state or local chapters, this could affect how you pay dues and your ability to cancel membership. The bill would make it easier to stop payments or leave the organization. For the general public, this is primarily about changing the internal rules and oversight of one major teachers union, though the official summary doesn't spell out direct everyday effects on most people outside the organization.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, Jul 24, 2025)
Stopping Teachers Unions from Damaging Education Needs Today Act or the STUDENT Act
This bill revises the federal charter for the National Education Association.
The bill specifies that the corporation and its state and local affiliates may only accept payment of membership dues or fees from a state or local government employee if the employee (1) has been notified of the employee's right under the First Amendment to refrain from membership and payment of associated dues or fees, (2) has clearly and affirmatively consented to membership and payment of associated dues or fees, and (3) has authorized the transmittal of membership dues or fees without the use of payroll deduction.
Further, the corporation and its state or local affiliates must process and honor cancellation requests for membership or payment of dues as soon as practicable following receipt of the request.
The bill also outlines requirements for the corporation, such as
• prohibiting the corporation or its directors or officers from contributing to, supporting, or participating in political activities;
• requiring each officer of the corporation to be a U.S. citizen;
• requiring the corporation to submit annual reports to Congress;
• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from requiring staff, officers, affiliates, or members to affirm, adopt, or adhere to certain principles related to race or sex; and
• prohibiting the corporation and its affiliates from calling or participating in a strike, work stoppage, or slowdown affecting a state or local government.
The bill repeals the corporation's exemption from District of Columbia property taxes.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 2428
A BILL
STUDENT Act
Sponsor: Sen. Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY) · Introduced Jul 24, 2025 · Education · 1 version of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 24, 2025: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.”