A combination of election year politics, budget constraints and Washington travel fatigue is putting a crimp into the traditional D.C. "Hike the Hill" treks conducted by state leagues during September.

Nearly half a dozen of the trade groups said they likely will bypass the D.C. trip to meet with congressmen, opting instead for local in-district meetings because many lawmakers are staying home to pursue races for the November election.

Though member business lending remains on the docket but could get side tracked, the North Carolina Credit Union League, for one, said it was calling off the trip usually led by a contingent of 20 to 25 executives and staffers since "it is unlikely that issues of major importance to credit unions will be considered."