On Veterans Day, we honor those who have sacrificed in service of our country. The best thanks that we can give now is protecting and upholding our democracy.

Reopening the government is a basic job duty for the party in charge. No one should have to choose between providing their families food or healthcare. Yet Republicans are determined to deny both—they put politics over people. They must end the shutdown without robbing families of basic needs.

The very educators who dedicate their lives to serving military families are being forced to work without pay, and now the Trump administration is telling them they owe money to the government? This reflects a stunning level of chaos, confusion, and contempt.

Starving children and families to score political points is beyond cruel. It's vile and vindictive. The lives of 42 million Americans should not be used as bargaining chips. We will not stay silent while our students, families, and neighbors go hungry.

Despite federal court orders to use emergency funds to continue federal food assistance, this administration continues to put 42 million lives—children, seniors, families—at risk. The chaos and uncertainty they are creating is cruel. It is shameful. It is dangerous.

Every student deserves access to services that they need to learn and grow and succeed. Anything less—like this administration dismantling and de-prioritizing special education—is an abandonment of our children.

Yesterday, as children were arriving for preschool, they witnessed their beloved teacher being violently and unjustly detained by ICE. Such abductions make no one safer. They only endanger our families, our freedoms, and our futures. We must fight to protect our schools by law. Join us.

Congratulations to @pelosi.house.gov on an incredible legacy—the mark you leave is truly historic. And I know I am not alone in thanking you for your decades of service to our country, in the halls of Congress and beyond.

Yesterday, in my home state of Pennsylvania, voters retained three Supreme Court justices who have protected our freedoms and contributed to landmark rulings in support of public schools. Another victory for students and families 👏🏾

In New Jersey, voters elected a strong public school champion as their next governor. Mikie Sherrill is a leader with a proven track record of supporting public schools and putting working people first. A win for students and families 🙌🏾

Congratulations to Virginia's next governor! A champion for working people, @abigailspanberger.com worked tirelessly to protect the retirement security of educators and all public servants by leading the effort to repeal GPO-WEP. This is a win for students, educators, families—all Virginians.

Today is Election Day! If you haven't already, go get an "I Voted" sticker of your own. Let's elect some pro-public education candidates today.

A reminder that tomorrow is Election Day—an important one in many states! If you haven't cast your ballot early, tomorrow, be a pro-public education voter and make your voice heard 🗳️

Public Service Loan Forgiveness is meant to make repayment possible for public servants like educators. But the Trump administration's illegal new rule decimates the program and imposes harsh restrictions. NEA refuses to stand by while politicians trap educators in a cycle of debt—so we're suing.

Educators understand the assignment. And that assignment is: mobilize to elect pro-public education voters!

Federal food assistance funding runs out at midnight tomorrow night. Millions of children and families rely on it. This is an emergency.

Students deserve to feel secure at school—but in communities around the country, ICE is endangering children and families. These kinds of violent actions don't make anyone safer. They only serve to spread terror and panic.

Four days until federal food assistance funding runs out. This government shutdown will cause millions to go hungry—on top of the damage already done to students and working families. It is past time for Congress to negotiate a deal, protect our health care, and feed our children.

Students and families will go hungry. It is unconscionable.

My biggest congratulations to @coalitionbuilder.bsky.social, President and CEO of National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, on celebrating her 30th anniversary at the helm of this powerful organization! And no better way to celebrate than at NCBCP's Annual Spirit of Democracy Awards.

Clearly, it is no secret that this administration does not care about children—especially those with disabilities in special education. Rather than investing in these students, they are disrupting IDEA and putting it on the back burner at HHS. This is just their newest way to dismantle education.

Senator Jeff Merkley is showing us what democracy looks like. Holding the Senate floor for hours and hours on end to protect our fellow citizens from the destruction of this government shutdown.

During School Bus Safety Week, and every week, our bus drivers deserve so much appreciation—they start off students' days and are integral to keeping our schools running. And they don't hear "thank you" enough.

⛔ Teaching shouldn’t cost your health. ✅ Competitive pay ✅ Cut admin ✅ Address violence ✅ Free high-quality professional development ✅ Secure employment ✅ Invest in support staff and inclusive resources. It's time to #GoPublic and invest in teachers. 🔗https://eiie.io/3IY37b8 #TALIS2024

The people of Georgia are speaking out. NEA members are speaking out. The people are speaking out: no kings in our country. Democracy only.

No more invigorating way to spend a Saturday than fighting for our democracy at #NoKingsDay. And an honor and a pleasure to do it alongside @warnock.senate.gov and @staceyabrams.com.

Today I am in Georgia joining thousands on #NoKingsDay to say: we will protect our democracy. We will reject authoritarianism.

Today is #NoKingsDay—a day to defend our democracy. There is still time to find and join an event near you.

Parents and educators know that cuts in staffing will not be good for our students. Each student deserves a robust Department of Education working hard on their behalf.

It is #NationalSchoolLunch week, and students cannot be expected to learn on empty stomachs. So this week—and all weeks—please thank you school's cafeteria workers and tell your lawmakers to support universal school meals 🍴

Leaders demonstrate their values through their actions. What does it say when this administration eliminates the team dedicated to supporting our special education students?

In the nation's capital and around the country, we celebrate #IndigenousPeoplesDay today to honor the histories and cultures of all Native peoples.

Elated to see the hostages reunited with their loved ones, and praying the influx of humanitarian aid can reach those in desperate need. Our hearts are also with the many families who will never again embrace their loved ones and those who continue to grieve the devastating loss of this war.

October is #HispanicHeritageMonth, and one powerful way to celebrate culture and heritage is through reading. Here's just one fabulous book recommendation by Latina author Yamile Saied Méndez 📚

Today is #LetFreedomReadDay, as great a day as any to read a banned book 📚

When hundreds of Department of Education employees are suddenly terminated, students bear the brunt of the consequences. Special education oversight. Grants to high-need schools. Protection of civil rights. Gone. This administration is destroying our education system from the inside out.

Tomorrow is #NationalComingOutDay—if you need resources to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ students in your life, I have you covered 🏳️‍🌈

The indictment of New York Attorney General Letitia James demonstrates that Donald Trump continues to weaponize the government to threaten and prosecute his political opponents. We cannot allow this to be who we are as a nation. https://bsky.app/profile/newyorkstateag.bsky.social/post/3m2s4fxt4as2f

90% of parents are against banning books. All children deserve access to excellent, diverse stories. Celebrate #BannedBooksWeek with me by donating banned books in your neighborhood!

Today is #LatinaEqualPay Day. On average, Latina women earn only 54 cents for every $1 earned by a white man. It is past time to end racial discrimination and occupational segregation in this country.

Next weekend, across this country, thousands will show up to protect democracy and our fundamental freedoms. Join us.

Every day that this government shutdown continues, people suffer. Our lawmakers must end the shutdown by reaching a deal that is fair and just—without endangering the health care of working families.

The start of a new month always brings new #ReadAcrossAmerica recommendations—and October's selections are all about resilience. Pick one to read with the early, middle, and young adult readers in your life 📖

Educators on military bases working without pay. Critical food assistance for hungry students jeopardized. Health care hanging in the balance. Students and families are hurting because Republicans in the White House and Congress have forced a government shutdown. Tell them to end it, NOW ⬇️

As we move into LGBTQ+ History Month, I return again and again to educator wisdom—like this advice from ESL teacher Amber on the importance of inclusivity in the classroom 🌈 💜

October is #HigherEdMonth! Every day, educators at colleges and universities broaden the horizons and shape the lives of students—their work is invaluable.

All Americans deserve a Congress that works for them. We deserve leaders who are focused on lifting up our communities, working to address the issues our nation faces, and ensuring every public-school student has the opportunity to thrive. Enough is enough.

As National School Attendance Awareness Month comes to an end, I know the challenge of keeping attendance up is not over for our educators—it continues all year. And we know that students can only be present at school where they feel safe, welcome, and protected.

When lawmakers don't fully fund our schools, the burden gets put on educators. And it's just wrong. https://bsky.app/profile/neatoday.bsky.social/post/3lzoia2qyfm2f

We have lost a dedicated leader in Al Llorens. Even before his presidency at @ieanea.bsky.social, Al dedicated his life to improving students' lives and strengthening public education. His leadership was rooted in compassion, vision, and an unwavering belief in the power of education to transform.