WASHINGTON–Although they are operating on an abbreviated schedule, both the House and the Senate are back in session this week, with the House also having finally filled its vacant Speaker slot.
As CUNA’s Deputy Chief Advocacy Officer for Federal Government Affairs Jason Stverak noted, the floors of both bodies are going to be dominated by spending-related legislation, which brings the risk that legislation credit unions oppose—specifically, the Credit Union Membership Access Act—could be attached as an amendment, a concern both trade groups have been consistently voicing.
“We are going to continue our aggressive advocacy up on the Hill with members and their staff educating them on the negative aspect of the Marshall Durbin interchange legislation to encourage them not to include it on any spending bills or must-pass legislation,” said Stverak.
Speaker Lays Out Aggressive Plan
NAFCU VP-Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler expressed similar sentiments, noting that language opposed by credit unions on any number of issues could also be attached to measures such as the supplemental aid bill being proposed for Israel.
Thaler reminded that new House Speaker Mike Johnson (D-LA) has laid out an aggressive plan to try to move appropriations bills former prior to the Nov. 17th deadline to fund the federal government, “although it continues to look more and more like there will need to be some type of (continuing resolution) to be in place” to avoid a shutdown.
Hearing to be Monitored
Meanwhile, the trade groups said they will be watching one hearing this week:
Thursday
- Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee: Ensuring Financial Protection for Servicemembers, Veterans and their Families