WASHINGTON — The Defense Credit Union Council is outlining several unresolved legislative issues it plans to continue monitoring as Congress heads into its August recess, including federal funding, digital assets and potential efforts to attach interchange provisions to moving legislation.
DCUC said the Senate passed an amended continuing resolution, H.R. 6500, on a 90-6 vote that would fund the federal government through Dec. 11, 2026. The organization stressed, however, that the legislative process is not complete.
DCUC said it continues to support long-term certainty in federal appropriations and permanent protections for military personnel, Coast Guard members, civilian defense employees and military families during any future lapse in government funding.
Cloture Filed
On digital assets, Senate leadership filed cloture before adjourning on the motion to proceed to H.R. 3633, the Digital Asset Market Clarity Act.
DCUC said the procedural move preserves the Senate’s ability to consider the legislation when lawmakers return but does not represent final passage or resolve outstanding policy disagreements.
The organization said it supports creation of a clear, technology-neutral regulatory framework for digital assets but is calling for credit unions to receive regulatory parity under any final legislation.
“A successful, ‘modern’ financial system cannot treat credit unions as an afterthought,” DCUC said.
Provisions Sought
Among the provisions DCUC said it is seeking are:
- Appropriate authority for credit unions and credit union service organizations to participate in the digital-asset marketplace.
- Participation by the NCUA and state credit union regulators in the regulatory framework.
- Workable implementation standards.
- Protections for servicemembers and military families stationed overseas.
E, Eye, E, I, O
DCUC is also continuing to watch the farm bill and other legislation for possible attempts to add interchange-related provisions.
The Senate Agriculture Committee did not advance its farm bill during an Aug. 6 business meeting, eliminating one immediate pre-recess legislative vehicle for unrelated amendments. Negotiations over the legislation are expected to continue.
DCUC said it will monitor the farm bill and other moving legislative vehicles for attempts to add interchange language as congressional work resumes after the recess.
