CCUA Advocates for Credit Union Priorities at 2024 Congressional Caucus

As Congress returned to Washington on September 9th, the Cooperative Credit Union Association attended America’s Credit Unions’ 2024 Congressional Caucus to highlight credit union priorities as the session ended. Mornings began with industry leaders providing regulatory education on interchange and electronic fund transfers, mixed with congressional leaders like House Financial Services Chair Rep. Patrick McHenry and Sen. Jon Tester. 

CCUA’s Chief Advocacy Officer Adrian Velazquez and Director of Advocacy Jessica Avery, joined by Navigant Credit Union’s Chief Risk Manager/General Counsel, David Pellegrino, met with Rhode Island Reps. Gabe Amo and Seth Magaziner to discuss the service reduction and legal impacts of the latest bill, S.4943/H.R. 9303 Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act, amending the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA). They also met with financial services staff from Sens. Reed and Whitehouse’s office, speaking about the credit union tax status and the EFTA bill.

Velazquez and Avery also engaged in crucial discussions with staff from Sen. Warren’s office, a sponsor of the EFTA bill, to address the unintended consequences for credit unions. This dialogue is a testament to CCUA’s commitment to ensuring that credit unions can continue our shared mission of supporting owner members. 

Rep. McGovern met with CCUA to discuss EFTA legislation and credit union community contributions. In his role as the ranking Rules minority member and considering potential election outcomes, McGovern could retain the ranking Rules majority leader position, a position that holds the power to significantly influence the progress of legislation. 

Sen. Shaheen’s Financial Services staffer sat down with the CCUA to discuss New Hampshire credit unions' contributions to the state, including our Veterans and active duty military. Staff from Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, the likely incoming Junior Senator from Delaware, spoke with Velazquez and Avery. CCUA has a long partnership with Congresswoman Blunt Rochester, and we eagerly anticipate continuing the conversation with her. 

We are grateful for America’s Credit Unions in organizing these dynamic opportunities to amplify the credit union difference.