Representative Bob Onder introduced H.R. 9636, the Improving Clarity and Transparency for Unions Act, on July 27 following an Education and Workforce Committee investigation that uncovered years of financial secrecy at the Chicago Teachers Union. The proposed legislation aims to hold union leaders accountable and ensure American workers have access to information about how their dues are spent.
For the past five years, the Chicago Teachers Union failed to disclose required financial audits to its members despite collecting nearly $150 million in member dues during that period. The Committee also found that CTU repeatedly denied workers’ requests for financial information about how the union is spending dues collected from its own members.
“Too many workers are paying union dues while union leaders are spending lavishly at their own members’ expense or financing political causes workers may not support. Workers deserve to know how their money is being spent. But when unions like CTU fail to disclose their own financial audits, workers are robbed of that right. I am thankful Rep. Onder is introducing this critical legislation to promote transparency for workers so they can hold their own leaders accountable,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg.
“Transparency should not depend on whether a worker can take time off to review hundreds of pages of financial records at a union office,” Representative Bob Onder continued. “I introduced this legislation because union members deserve the same accountability and disclosure standards they expect from any organization entrusted with millions of dollars in member dues.”
The legislation follows a November 20, 2025, Committee on Education and Workforce investigation into CTU which uncovered years of delayed audits, repeated denials of member requests for financial records, and policies limiting workers’ ability to review information—actions found in violation of CTU’s governing documents regarding transparency. The Committee also found that less than 17 percent of CTU’s spending over five years went toward collective bargaining and member services despite collecting significant dues revenue.
H.R. 9636 would strengthen financial transparency requirements for labor organizations and help ensure workers have timely access to necessary financial information so they can hold leadership accountable. The House Education and Workforce Committee manages federal programs concerning education, labor, health, workforce development; influences policy on student loans and worker protections; and serves in the legislative sector with jurisdiction over education and labor matters, according to the official website.