While most of Congress was away from the nation’s capital during the month of August, credit union advocacy continued in their home districts as Leagues and credit unions connected with policymakers to advocate for credit union priorities. After CUNA provided Leagues and credit unions with resources to address data security, cannabis banking and a provision to keep out of the National Defense Authorization Act, the organizations brought those concerns face-to-face in more than 40 meetings around the country.

Before August was officially underway, Consumers CU, Gurnee, Ill., hosted a luncheon for state legislators and staff of federal legislators. Consumers CU President/CEO Sean Rathjen said the primary goal was an exchange of priorities between the legislators, their constituents and the communities they represent.

In Westbrook, Maine, the Maine Credit Union League and Synergent welcomed Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) to their headquarters to discuss data security issues and provide Collins with an overview of how the state’s credit unions protect member data.

In North and South Carolina, the Carolinas Credit Union League spent August meeting with current and hopeful members of Congress at various events with member credit unions.

On the other coast, credit union leaders from the northwest met in Olympia, Wash. with NCUA board member Todd Harper and Rep. Denny Heck (D-Wash.).

In the midwest, Dupcao Community CU led Rep. Abby Finkenauer (D-Iowa) on a tour through their operations center/community reinvestment project in Dubuque’s Historic Millwork District, while other credit unions hosted discussions with Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Cindy Axne (D-Iowa).  

Credit unions and leagues from around the country also shared photos and thanks from their visits on social media. See below for more information about how credit unions connected with lawmakers in August.