CUNA pleads H.R. 333's case again, while NAFCU lobbyists say action unlikely last week

WASHINGTON-CUNA sent a letter last week to Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.), yet again, encouraging swift movement on the bankruptcy reform legislation. At the same time, NAFCU lobbyists reported that action on the bill was unlikely after deadline last week. CUNA President and CEO Dan Mica admitted in the letter, “We are aware that for some Members of Congress, a vote for this bill is now a tougher decision than it was in March of last year. This does not change the harsh reality that credit unions continue to see increases in the numbers of people abusing the system.This bill is too important to risk being lost in the end of session maneuvering or pushed off to a possible lame duck session.” CUNA also ran advertisements last week in widely read Capitol Hill publications supporting the bill. Mid-week last week, members of Congress were still trying to get a reliable vote count of supporters of the bankruptcy reform legislation. Because of the Thursday afternoon adjournment last week, NAFCU Director of Legislative and Political Affairs Brad Thaler predicted that movement on the bill would be held off until at least later this week.