WASHINGTON -- CUNA is keeping a watchful eye over the lobbying reform bill weaving its way through Congress to ensure it does not hinder their political efforts.

"Originally the concern was over the grassroots provision, which was thankfully stripped out of the Senate bill by amendment...and then it wasn't even printed in the House bill," CUNA Senior Vice President of Political Affairs Richard Gose said. He explained that the provision initially would have expanded the definition of bundling--currently the aggregating of contributor checks collected by political action committees to one check--to include the mere collection of checks by PACs like CULAC. This would have triggered additional reporting requirements for CULAC to the House and Senate in addition to the Federal Election Commission, which CULAC already reports to. Under the current law, PACs can send contributor checks directly on to candidate campaigns without reporting to Congress.

"It's redundant filings and we just don't think it's necessary. We believe there's some unintended consequences there and we're going to be working with folks on the conference committee to demonstrate why we think this...not necessary," Gose advocated.

Different versions of the bill have passed the House and Senate and conferees are expected to be named before the month-long August recess.