WASHINGTON–The House and Senate are both back in session this week, but one CUNA exec isn’t expecting any progress on any coronavirus relief legislation.
The House agenda is primarily focused on a number of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) bills, while the Senate agenda will be taken up with judicial nominations.
There are approximately two weeks remaining until the end of the federal budget fiscal year and approximately 50 days until the general election, noted CUNA’s chief advocacy officer, Ryan Donovan, which reduces the odds of legislation passing.
“The Senate action last week to reject the targeted COVID bill, I think, means the prospects of getting a substantial COVID recovery bill through Congress and to the President’s desk before the end of the month have dimmed significantly,” Donovan said. “What I would expect in the next couple of weeks would be the House to put together some individual bills on the floor, but most of the focus will be on continuing resolution to fund the government through the election until the middle of November.”
Donovan said CUNA will be looking for opportunities to advance some of its priorities by attaching it to any legislation that does move forward.
CUNA Named a Top 10 Organization
Separately, an independent study conducted by Ballast Research has named CUNA and state leagues as the most influential financial services organization and one of the top 10 most effective advocacy organizations in Washington.
According to Ballast Research, formally National Journal Research, it is the fifth year in a row the CUNA/league system has earned the ranking.
Among the study’s findings:
- The CUNA/league system was number one in representing the views of credit unions among organizations studied. This includes activating members and state leagues to directly engage policymakers; contributing accurate and reliable research & data for policy conversations; consistently and effectively communicating with Washington policymakers; having strong engagement from executives, and building credible partnerships, and more, CUNA said.
- The CUNA/league system’s reputation was rated number one in the financial services industry and number five overall against other prominent associations by Washington's senior policymakers.
- The CUNA/league system “gained significant strides for respect as an organization in the public debate field, proving our marketing and strategic communications as successful,” CUNA said.
- The CUNA-League system outperforms its peers in the financial services industry in all areas of advocacy, including
- The CUNA-League system is uniquely bipartisan, scoring well above the average of other prominent associations with both Republicans and Democrats.
‘As Strong As It’ Ever Been’
“The CUNA-League system is as strong as it’s ever been and we are proud to share this moment with the 120 million credit union voices across the nation,” said CUNA president/CEO Jim Nussle in a statement. “With competition for awareness on Capitol Hill so fierce during this unparalleled time, that members of Congress hold us in such (regard) is a major accomplishment. As an influential and effective source of information for policymakers, they welcome our calls and visits, and take us at our word as we endeavor to educate and fight for credit union priorities on Capitol Hill.”