WASHINGTON–As if the coronavirus pandemic hadn’t created enough of a challenge, a week that typically would have been filled with in-person (now Zoom) meetings and phone calls has been thrown further into flux by the turmoil of events last week in Washington.
With a new Congress now seated but still in flux and with a new administration a week away, the credit union trade groups traditionally are working to gain a foothold, make introductions and stress credit union priorities.
But while that remains the objective, to what degree credit unions or any other group in Washington are heard is being affected by last week’s violence at the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Trump.
As NAFCU EVP and General Counsel Carrie Hunt observed, although the trade group is working to pursue its agenda with Congress and the incoming Biden Administration, “It’s certainly not business as usual.”
“There are two different ways of looking” at what could transpire over the next few weeks, said Hunt, noting President-Elect Joe Biden has said he doesn’t want any impeachment hearings in the House to impede his agenda.
The first and foremost item on that agenda is responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Additional Complications
But, Hunt added, Biden may still find his agenda sidetracked by discussions related to and fallout from any impeachment hearings, even after President Trump leaves office. Further complicating matters are the results of the Senate elections in Georgia, where both Democratic candidates won their races, flipping control of the Senate (and Congress) to the Democrats, pointed out, adding, “That will have an effect on the agenda.”
Ryan Donovan, CUNA’s chief advocacy officer, agreed, noting that while both the House and Senate are scheduled this week to have district and state work periods, “As we are all aware there is likelihood the House returns to session to consider a potential impeachment resolution.”