WASHINGTON -- The Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 1537) reached 100 co-sponsors last week as press time was running out.

Representative Jane Harman (D-Calif.) was the ceremonial 100th co-sponsor. Six other legislators signed on last week as well, including Representatives Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio), Robert Brady (D-Pa.), James T. Walsh (R-N.Y.), Timothy Bishop (D-N.Y.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Peter Roskam (R-Ill.). These additions in the 110th Congress, two of which had not been on the bill in previous Congress', brought the total to 100 co-sponsors. It had 125 co-sponsors sign up over the two years of the 109th Congress, but has reached 100 in not yet three months.

CURIA has 12 new co-sponsors this year, improving on the 11 lost from last Congress due to lost elections, retirement, moving to higher office, and death. Of the

current co-sponsors, 70 are Democrats and 30 are Republicans.

The credit union legislation has spawned strong opposition from the bankers and determined advocacy from the credit union side, including CUNA's Little Guy campaign. Credit unions have said the bill will help them better serve their members while the banks are arguing that CURIA is an expansion of powers for credit unions that are already beyond their tax-exempt purpose.

CURIA, credit unions' flagship bill over the last three Congresses, would create a risk-based capital system, expand business lending authorities, establish voter and balloting requirements in mutual savings bank conversions, and allow federal credit unions of all charter types to adopt underserved areas once again.