The House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2020 Thursday without any language expanding the Department of Defense’s (DOD) discretionary authority to waive the certain costs for land leases and fees.

Currently the DOD has authority to do so for credit unions, and CUNA, leagues and the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) have engaged with House policymakers since last year’s NDAA, which would have granted banks unconditional, rent-free access to military installations.

“We’re pleased CUNA, league and DCUC engagement resonated with House Members  as this bill was drafted, introduced, marked up and now passed the House without any inclusion of language expanding rent-free access to military bases,” said CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle. “Credit unions’ have a legacy of more than 70 years of service to military members and their families. We look forward to engaging further as this bill goes to conference committee to ensure the final version is free of any language that would change the DOD’s current exemption authority.”

The Senate version of the NDAA, which passed the chamber June 27, contains CUNA-opposed language allowing for potential expansion of the DOD’s exemption, but only for financial institutions that meet the same standards of credit unions eligible for the exemption.

CUNA will continue work with Leagues and DCUC to engage lawmakers as the bill moves into conference, advocating to ensure that the House language is incorporated into the final bill.