Leagues and credit unions engage with lawmakers during spring recess

April 23, 2025

Credit union momentum in the “Don’t Tax My Credit Union” effort includes meeting with key legislators back home during the spring recess. 

The Dakota Credit Union Association again met with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., as Director of Grassroots and Political Affairs Chesney Garnos discussed “key developments in Washington, D.C., including tariffs, tax reform, Senator Thune’s new role as Senate Majority Leader, emerging AI and tech regulations, DOGE, childcare, and more” with Thune and his staff. 

The latest meeting was at a local business luncheon in Sioux Falls, which follows others in district and in Washington, D.C. 

Jeff Olson, America’s Credit Unions board member and president/CEO of the Dakota Credit Union Association, wrote in a regional publication earlier this month that threats to the credit union tax status are a direct threat to North and South Dakotans, and the more than 140 million credit union members across the country. 

The Credit Union Association of New Mexico and New Mexico credit unions took part in several stops on Rep. Melanie Stansbury’s, D-N.M., “road show” throughout the state. Stansbury was one of 36 signers of a bipartisan letter to the House Ways and Means Committee in support of the credit union tax status. 

During each stop, advocates shared local credit union success stories, emphasized the importance of member-driven financial services, and also took time to highlight the importance of maintaining an independent NCUA to help ensure that credit unions remain safe, sound, and member-focused—and that they are not treated like for-profit institutions.

NuMark Credit Union, based in Joliet, Ill., hosted Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., a member of the House Financial Services Committee with Illinois Credit Union League staff. The group discussed the importance of the tax status and focused on how supporting other credit union priorities will increase service to members and communities. 

In addition to in-person meetings, America’s Credit Unions urges stakeholders to send messages to members of Congress using the Don’t Tax My Credit Union site, and record their credit union impact stories with the social media toolkit. For help getting started at your credit union, there’s a grassroots handbook and other action items available online.