Credit unions, leagues set priorities in lawmaker meetings

September 16, 2025

With several federal funding deadlines in September and Congress setting its agenda for the rest of the year, recent face-to-face meetings between members and credit union advocates helped ensure credit union priorities are considered this month and beyond. 

The Dakota Credit Union Association brought more than 20 credit union advocates to Washington, D.C., to meet with the delegation of both North and South Dakota. 

The group emphasized support for the bipartisan Central Liquidity Facility Enhancement Act, protecting the current interchange system, and discussed possibilities of addressing those priorities in the National Defense Authorization Act. They also thanked House members for passing the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, and encouraged the senators to move the bill through the upper chamber. 

The Dakota Credit Union Association was joined by leaders from First Community Credit Union, Capital Credit Union, University Federal Credit Union, Western Cooperative Credit Union, Town & Country Credit Union, Fargo VA Federal Credit Union, North Star Community Credit Union, Oahe Federal Credit Union, East River Federal Credit Union, Service First Federal Credit Union, Levo Credit Union, Northern Hills Federal Credit Union, Black Hills Federal Credit Union, Dakotaland Federal Credit Union, Voyage Federal Credit Union, Highmark Credit Union, and Explorers Credit Union. 

Kentucky’s Credit Unions’ visits included a group of advocates who shared stories on the credit union difference and reiterated the credit union commitment to protecting consumer choice and keeping financial services affordable for all. 

The Kentucky credit union leaders met with Sens. Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Reps. Andy Barr, Brett Guthrie and Thomas Massie. In addition to their in-person meeting, Chairman Barr also spoke at Congressional Caucus where he highlighted credit unions’ impact on their communities. “The great thing about credit unions is you serve an incredibly important function in the financial services ecosystem,” said Barr. “Credit unions are American Dream-makers.”

The Credit Union Association of New Mexico brought New Mexico credit union leaders to D.C., to share concerns over rising fraud costs and potential legislative solutions. 

“Fraud continues to be one of the most pressing issues facing credit unions and their members, so it was valuable to sit down with our legislators in Washington to share those concerns directly. We specifically discussed H.R. 1799 and the need to modernize the SAR and CTR thresholds—dollar amounts that have not kept pace with inflation,” said Melia Heimbuck, president/CEO of the Credit Union Association of New Mexico. “An adjustment would provide meaningful relief from regulatory burden while allowing credit unions to focus resources on serving their members.” 

Outreach with lawmakers is also taking place outside of Washington, D.C. Texas credit union advocates from across the state gathered with Cornerstone Credit Union League and America’s Credit Unions staff to meet with Sen. John Cornyn III in Austin last week.