AFT urges Congress to reject 2026 bill cutting essential services

WASHINGTON

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) has formally communicated its opposition to the proposed fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill targeting the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education. This stance was conveyed through a letter addressed to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.

In a statement, AFT President Randi Weingarten expressed strong disapproval: “This is idiocy, and, worse, it’s dangerous. This bill should strengthen public schools; expand art, music, and career and technical education programs; and cut healthcare costs for families, but instead bipartisan programs are being gutted to hand tax breaks to billionaires. It should make life easier for everyday Americans, but it does the exact opposite, doubling down on policies that will take a dagger to the heart of our communities.”

The AFT, which represents nearly 2 million members, is taking a stand on behalf of millions of children and families. Weingarten criticized the administration and congressional majority for potentially abandoning essential Title I funding that impacts both political spectrums, increasing college expenses, elevating drug costs, and reducing food aid for children in need, while empowering corporations and the wealthy.

Weingarten emphasized the voters' mandate from the previous fall, noting, “The American people voted last fall to strengthen, not weaken, public education. They voted against inflation and for affordability. They do not support draconian cuts that decimate the services our students, families and communities rely on. That is why this ruinous bill must be rejected and immediately rewritten on a bipartisan basis.”

The AFT encompasses a diverse membership, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, higher education staff, government employees, nurses, and early childhood educators, all unified in opposing the current draft of the appropriations bill.