Engaging key policymakers to advance credit union priorities

Directly engaging with key policymakers, America’s Credit Unions President/CEO Scott Simpson and the advocacy team met with Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill Tuesday. As chair of the House Small Business Committee, Williams invited Georgia’s Own Credit Union Chief Commercial Banking Officer Mike Sims to testify in February on behalf of America’s Credit Unions on ways to enhance people’s access to credit unions.    

“It was great to spend time with Chairman Williams, who has long championed credit unions and legislation that strengthens credit unions’ ability to serve consumers across the country and strengthen communities. Working closely together, we can achieve more to advance, empower and protect the future of credit unions,” said Simpson.  

Williams also introduced legislation to repeal the CFPB’s small business loan data collection requirements under Section 1071 of Dodd-Frank. These efforts ultimately led the CFPB under the current administration to re-propose the rule, with comments due to the bureau Dec. 15.  

Simpson noted credit unions’ ongoing support for the Expanding Access to Lending Options Act (H.R. 4167), which Williams has co-sponsored, and shared credit union and league work to advance bipartisan legislation to provide veteran-owned businesses additional access to capital, the Veterans Member Business Loan Act (H.R. 507).  

The group also thanked Williams for conducting a full committee hearing this week on supporting veteran entrepreneurs today, and America’s Credit Unions submitted a letter for the hearing’s record.  

America’s Credit Unions will continue to meet with legislators and other policymakers to advance credit union priorities in the last few weeks of the Congressional session.