LANSING, Mich – The Michigan Credit Union League said it has concluded the 2020 Hike at Home virtual event, which allowed credit union leaders to talk with Michigan’s congressional delegation about CU priorities without traveling to Washington to do so.
According to the league, over the course of the two-week Hike, approximately 80 leaders from 42 credit unions across the state participated in meetings. The MCUL said the number of credit union advocates participating this year represents a significant increase in Hike participation compared to previous years; approximately 50 CU leaders were on hand for its in-person Hike in Washington in 2019.
“This year’s increased attendance led to stronger meetings, as more professionals were able to share their credit union’s experiences and exhibit the Michigan credit union movement as an even broader unified front to lawmakers and regulators,” the league said.
During the first week, the MCUL said it and attendees discussed priorities during meetings with U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D), as well as U.S. Reps. Jack Bergman (R), John Dingell (D), Rep. Bill Huizenga (R), Dan Kildee (D), Barbara Lawrence (D), John Moolenaar (R), Elissa Slotkin (D), Rashida Tlaib (D), and Tim Walberg (R).
Other Meetings
In addition to those meetings, credit union leaders also met with NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood, with whom they discussed Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness; the creation of a federal housing assistance fund; additional funding for CDFI; the credit union difference/not-for-profit tax status; data privacy/security; modernizing the FCUA; Bank Secrecy Act/anti-money laundering reforms; updating federal e-commerce laws; and cannabis banking.
During the second week of Hike meetings, MCUL and attendees met with key staff for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D), and Reps. Fred Upton (R), Andy Levin (D) and Haley Stevens (D), along with a legislative assistant to Rep. Paul Mitchell.
“We are pleased to have members of our congressional delegation reinforce their support for key issues and provide valuable insight on how and when certain credit union-related legislation may move,” said MCUL CEO Dave Adams. “In addition, several representatives expressed a desire to sponsor or co-sponsor legislation in 2021 with the start of the new 117th Congress that will address several key priorities. This is a clear sign that MCUL's advocacy efforts with federal elected officials is having a positive impact.”