WASHINGTON — Following visits by thousands of credit union representatives with members of Congress, America’s Credit Unions is reporting that based on the feedback it has heard, credit unions stayed on message.
The Hike the Hill visits took place as part of America’s Credit Unions’ Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC).
“Most of the feedback has been incredibly positive,” said Greg Mesack, SVP of advocacy with America’s Credit Unions.
Mesack said credit union delegations prioritized messages around protecting the tax exemption, creating stronger protections against fraud and modernizing credit union-related legislation. He said he heard of no pushback from members of Congress or their offices related to the messages being shared.
Similarly, Scott Simpson, president and CEO of the trade group, said he heard positive feedback as well and was gratified to see a number of U.S. senators also sign on to the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, bringing the number of supporters to 60.
“It felt like a week of advancement to me,” said Simpson.
‘One-Note Piano’
One person who earlier spoke with the CU Daily and who participated in Hike the Hill visits said they heard one congressional staff member remark that they now expect banking industry representatives to visit with an opposite message when it comes to credit unions. Simpson said he was not surprised to hear that, given that he has spent 22 years doing advocacy work for credit unions.
“They have been playing this one-note piano,” said Simpson. “But, again, I don’t think I heard anything through our reporting mechanisms that would suggest any surprises. In fact, it felt as aligned as I have ever felt it across our side. It would stand to reason that our alignment creates a reaction from those that are interested in creating friction in our space.”
