TTCU hosts Ways and Means Committee member as reconciliation legislation approaches

With the complete draft text of the House Ways and Means Committee’s portion of the budget reconciliation package anticipated shortly, credit unions are keeping up the advocacy momentum.  

Tulsa-based TTCU brought House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Okla., together with dozens of credit union leaders for an in-district meeting Friday, America’s Credit Unions and the Cornerstone League also attended.

"Oklahoma Credit Unions were thrilled to host Congressman Hern at the office of TTCU. We had a wonderful conversation centered around the value that credit unions bring to Congressman Hern's district, as well as districts all around the country," said Thomas Lewis II, executive director of the Credit Union Association of Oklahoma, a division of Cornerstone League. "We look forward to future collaboration with all members of Congress as they look to implement the America First Agenda. "

The credit union advocates at the Tulsa meeting included TTCU CEO Shelby Beil, TTCU Senior Vice President of Marketing Todd Townsend, Oklahoma Central Credit Union CEO Gina Wilson, Energy One Federal Credit Union President/CEO Steve McNabb, First Oklahoma Federal Credit Union President/CEO John Freeman, Truity Federal Credit Union Chief Lending Officer Joe Beffer, WeStreet Credit Union Chief Financial Officer Lauren Fleenor, Tinker Federal Credit Union Senior Vice President of Advocacy Keili McEwen, Energy One Federal Credit Union Chief Lending Officer TJ White, Communication Federal Credit Union Chief Marketing Officer Stephan Lark, and American Airlines Federal Credit Union Government and Industry Relations Manager Brenda Tristan.

Beil also posted a direct call to members on TTCU’s website, encouraging members to reach out to Hern and other policymakers in support of the tax status.

The House Ways and Means Committee did not mention credit union in its early draft legislation, and will mark up its bill starting Tuesday, and engagement with members – including committee members like Hern – is essential to defending the tax status.

In advance of the markup, all credit union advocates are encouraged to send messages - whether it's for the first time or as a follow up – to their members of Congress. Use the Don’t Tax My Credit Union website, and there’s a social media toolkit and other resources on America’s Credit Unions website.