Leagues and credit unions continued a busy week of credit union advocacy in Washington, D.C., with key meetings in support of the credit union tax status and other priorities. America’s Credit Unions’ advocacy team also held more meetings, including a one-on-one between House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters, D-Calif. and Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt following this week’s committee hearing.

Rusty Cannon, president and chief advocacy officer at the Utah Credit Union Association, and Jeff Shaw, CEO of Wasatch Peaks Credit Union, connected with Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah. Moore, vice chair of the House Republican Conference, represents a significant number of credit union members in Utah’s 1st Congressional District.

“As a member of Republican leadership and the Ways and Means Committee, Representative Moore is in a critical position to defend credit union members,” Cannon said. “He also is keenly aware that he represents the second highest district in America for concentration of credit union membership. We’re grateful he respects their choice for financial services.”

Rich Schaffer, West Virginia Credit Union League president/CEO, Mike Tucker, West Virginia Central FCU president/CEO, and Joetta Heck, CEO of KEMBA Charleston Federal Credit Union, visited with House Ways and Means Committee member Rep. Carol Miller, R-W.V.

“As the Ways and Means Committee considers the complicated task of determining funding for tax cuts, we felt it necessary to reinforce the purpose and benefits for continuing the credit union tax exemption,” Schaffer said. “We appreciate Congresswoman Miller and her staff meeting with us to discuss the importance of the credit union tax exemption as it directly relates to the financial benefit of her constituents.”

“Mike and Joetta did an excellent job of concisely illustrating how they are helping credit union members in her district who are often forgotten about by the banks,” he added.

The Illinois Credit Union League (ICUL) continued its outreach to Illinois members of Congress this week, discussing the credit union tax status and other important issues. The ICUL team, including Illinois Credit Union League President/CEO Libby Calderone and Senior Vice President of Governmental Affairs Keith Sias, met with Reps. Sean Casten, D-Ill., Bill Foster, D-Ill., Darin LaHood, R-Ill., and Brad Schneider D-Ill.

Matt Mamer, CEO of CEFCU, was pleased to meet with LaHood, who is a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

“It was great to have to the opportunity to meet with Congressman LaHood to provide firsthand examples of the value of the credit union tax exemption and the devastating impact that any change to the tax status would have upon our membership, communities, and his constituents,” he said. “We look forward to working with Congressman LaHood to help protect the credit union tax status."

These meetings are part of an ongoing, coordinated effort to bring credit unions and leagues to Capitol Hill to meet with key congressional leaders.

Credit unions share Rep. Greg Steube's passion for supporting rural communities across Florida. We are proud to be the trusted and local financial partner for millions of consumers across the state and thank the Congressman for his advocacy on our behalf. pic.twitter.com/CvyeoBAehD

— The League of Credit Unions & Affiliates (@theleagueofcus) February 6, 2025