Credit unions and their trade associations are lobbying members of Congress in their home states ­­— and gaining some ground ­­—while lawmakers are on a break from Washington until April 16.

Following the League of Southeastern Credit Union's state governmental affairs conference in Montgomery, Ala. last week, credit unions picked up Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) as co-sponsor of H.R. 3993, the secondary capital bill, and Reps. Debbie Wasserman-Shultz (D-Fla.), Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), Allen West (R-Fla.), Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), Kathy Castor (R-Fla.), and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) as co-sponsors of H.R. 3461, the exam fairness bill, according to league Vice President of Marketing and Communications Mike Bridges.

Southeastern credit unions are also actively advocating in support of member business lending legislation, telling the stories of small businesses. The $65 million Jefferson Credit Union of Birmingham, Ala., created and posted a video on YouTube that showcases a local business that was able to expand thanks to credit union lending.