The House and Senate are both in session this week, with the House expected to vote on several pieces of appropriations legislation, including this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House version of the NDAA, which passed committee earlier this month, does not contain CUNA-opposed language that would expand a military base lease exemption to banks.

Specifically, credit unions are eligible for an exemption from certain costs when leasing space on military bases, and fought banker efforts to get an expansion in the House NDAA. CUNA engaged with policymakers on the topic, highlighting credit unions’ focus on member service and not-for-profit nature and the expansion was not included in the bill.

The Senate version of the NDAA currently contains the provision, and CUNA, Leagues and credit unions are engaging those legislators to ensure the expansion does not make it into the final version of the FY2021 NDAA.

On the Senate side this week, NCUA board nominee Kyle Hauptman is scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking Committee Tuesday. If confirmed, Hauptman would take the seat of current board member J. Mark McWatters, for a term ending in August 2024.

Other hearings CUNA is engaged with this week include:

• Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. (ET): Senate Banking Committee hearing, “U.S.-China: Winning the Economic War;”
• Wednesday, 9:45 a.m. (ET): Senate Commerce Committee executive session that includes the nomination of Michael O’Rielly to be a member of the Federal Communications Commission;
• Thursday, 10 a.m. (ET): Senate Small Business Committee hearing, “Capital Access for Minority Small Businesses: COVID-19 Resources for an Equitable and Sustainable Recovery;” and
• Thursday, 10:30 a.m. (ET): House Financial Services Committee hearing, “The HEROES Act: Providing for a Strong Economic Recovery from COVID-19.”