Key committee chairs and ranking members of the 118^th Congress are familiar faces to credit unions and Leagues.

Republicans will chair House committees as a result of taking the chamber in the mid-terms, while the Democrats control the Senate 51-49. 

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, continues as chair of the committee, and is a strong credit union supporter. 

“During his tenure as Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Ohio credit unions have worked directly with Chairman Sherrod Brown and his stellar team to drive deeper awareness of financial cooperatives and their unique ability to help people and advance communities,” said Jared Weiser, legislative affairs director at the Ohio Credit Union League. “Chairman Brown is a strong supporter of credit unions, and we look forward to continue working with his team to improve the lives of 3.2 million Ohioans.”

Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., is the ranking member, and a former credit union board member.

“As a former credit union volunteer, Senator Scott knows firsthand the impact credit unions have on their members,” said Carolinas Credit Union Association (CCUL) President/CEO Dan Schline. “He has been a great advocate for our credit unions, and we look forward to continued partnership with him on issues affecting them and the people they serve.”

Senate Finance Committee

The committee is chaired by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., who chaired it in the last Congress. 

“We’re grateful for Senator Wyden’s long history as a credit union champion and his continued leadership on the Finance Committee will no doubt serve credit union members well,” said Troy Stang, GoWest Credit Union Association president/CEO. “His support of credit union priorities reinforces how well he understands the not-for-profit, cooperative structure that provides tangible economic value to consumers and to the economy, while putting members first."

Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, is the ranking member, and also has a close relationship with credit unions and the GoWest Credit Union Association. 

“Senator Crapo has an impressive record as a champion for the credit union movement, Stang said. Senator Crapo is a steadfast supporter of policies that allow credit unions to serve Main Street which, in turn, supports members and communities,” Stang said. “With both Senators Wyden and Crapo continued leadership and service on the committee, we’re confident its ability to wisely balance marketplace needs with consumers’ interests.”

GoWest has a number of relationships with key members of Congress on other committees as well. 

“Within the GoWest Credit Union Association footprint, our members will have strong representation on several key committees in this Congress,” said Ryan Fitzgerald, GoWest’s SVP, federal advocacy. “We’re very pleased to see to see Brittany Pettersen, D-Wash., named to the House Financial Services Committee. In addition, Sen. Patti Murray, D-Wash., was named Chairwoman of Senate Appropriations and the First Female President Pro Tempore of the U.S. Senate. It’s also encouraging to see Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo. named the Republican Conference Committee Chairman. We are thankful that our member credit union advocates are so deeply engaged and have established relationships with many of these representatives, so we look forward to continuing to collaborate to advance credit union priorities.”

House Financial Services Committee

Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., is the new chair of the committee, having served as ranking member in the 117th Congress. 

“We’re certainly pleased to have members of our North Carolina and South Carolina delegations in key leadership roles as Congress consider financial services issues,” said Schline. “Chairman McHenry has been fairly open about his priorities for the House Financial Services Committee. We look forward to working with him to ensure credit unions can continue to improve the financial well-being of our members”.

Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., is now the ranking member, after having been chairwoman in the previous Congress. 

“As a ranking member of the House Financial Services Committee and a strong advocate for credit unions and their members, Chairwoman Waters truly understands the unique importance of reaching the underserved and unbanked in local communities with trustworthy, member-owned financial service options," said Diana Dykstra, President and CEO of the California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues. "The Congresswoman has proven to be a friend of credit unions and the California Credit Union League over several years, and we know she will leverage her proven track record of championing impactful legislation toward better financial wellbeing for the local households and consumers she serves. She continues being a staunch ally of our movement and supporting the League’s efforts to defend credit unions and the individuals they serve. We are impressed by Congresswoman Waters’ outreach to both the League and our member credit unions, and we want to thank her for her ongoing commitment and leadership in carrying the torch for local constituents, as well as credit union members in all types of communities nationwide. 

"The League applauds her efforts and successes, and we congratulate her on the continued work she is accomplishing at the local level to advance credit union priorities in this new Congress," she added.  

House Ways and Means Committee

Rep. Jason Smith, R-Mo., is the new chair of the House Ways and Means Committee. 

“We’re energized by the prospect of working closely with Rep. Smith in his new position on Ways and Means,” said Caroline Willard, Cornerstone League president/CEO. “I would also add that we’re looking forward to working with longtime Cornerstone friends Kay Granger (R-TX) and Tom Cole (R-OK) in their new roles as chair and vice chair of Appropriations.”  

Willard also noted Cornerstone's positive relationship with House Small Business and Budget Committee leaders, as well as House Financial Services and Appropriations Subcommittees. 

 “Cornerstone will confer with CUNA to ensure that we stay tightly aligned on the messaging that goes to all members of Congressional leadership within the Cornerstone delegation," Willard said. 

Rep. Richard Neal, D-Mass., is the ranking member, having served as chair in the previous Congress. 

“We are very fortunate to have Rep. Neal be such a strong supporter of credit unions.  A recent example is his early and strong leadership on the IRS tax gap proposal, which proved pivotal in getting the result credit unions advocated for," said Ron McLean, president/CEO of the Cooperative Credit Union Association. "Rep. Neal understands the value credit unions bring to his district, Massachusetts and across the country. We look forward to working with him to further improve financial well-being for all.”