Last week was historic for NEA Board members—their first visit to Capitol Hill during a government shutdown. Though some congressional offices were thinly staffed and others conducted only virtual meetings, the Board got our message across: Stop playing games, work together, and focus on what truly matters to students and educators.

Specifically, they urged Congress to:

• Include guardrail language in the FY2026 education funding bill to ensure appropriated funds are spent in accordance with the law;
• Fully fund IDEA—the federal share of excess special education costs, now less than 12%, has never come close to the promised 40% percent;
• Support the Paraprofessionals and Education Support Staff Bill of Rights Resolution (S. Res. 158/H. Res. 297) and other priority bills to recognize the central—and vital—roles that education support professionals (ESPs) play.

The main stumbling block to reopening the government is the GOP’s refusal to work with Democrats to find a bipartisan solution and lower healthcare costs for working families and middle-income Americans.

As matters now stand, premiums will double for 90% of the 24 million people covered by the Affordable Care Act on Jan. 1, 2026—the same day massive tax breaks for the ultra-rich become permanent, thanks to the GOP’s reconciliation bill.

As the shutdown continues, pain is mounting for federal employees who are furloughed or required to work without pay—among them, members of the Federal Education Association, the NEA affiliate that represents educators in schools for military-connected students.

Others who are immediately affected include mothers with young children who rely on WIC for nutritious food—funding will run out any day. In addition, airports around the country are reporting delays due to shortages of air traffic controllers and other essential federal workers.

Tell Congress what you think!

In Solidarity,