WASHINGTON–Changes to the CFPB's structure and duties are likely to need a super-majority in the Senate, so credit unions must accept that the debate will “move to the middle,” Ryan Donovan, CUNA's chief advocacy officer said Monday.

Credit unions must focus on their priority issues, as the various sides haggle, Donovan said, at the first day of the CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference.

The debate over changes at the agency is likely to be highly partisan, with opponents to change forcing a procedural vote in the Senate—something that will require 60 votes to pass, Donovan said.

Credit unions must emphasize to lawmakers that the current regulatory structure is not working for credit unions, Donovan said. “You didn't cause the crisis…but you're definitely paying for it,” he said.

Donovan outlined the changes that should be made to the CFPB.

The agency should be converted from its single-director structure to one that is governed by a commission, Donovan said. The CFPB needs more diverse governance, he said.

House Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling last year proposed converting the agency to a commission. However, in a recent staff memo outlining changes he is contemplating to his original plan, Hensarling would maintain the single-director structure, but with the director having greatly diminished powers.

Donovan also said that Congress should be more specific about providing credit unions with exemption from CFPB regulation. He suggested that credit unions be exempt from CFPB regulation unless the agency can demonstrate that credit unions are violating regulations.

Lawmakers are hearing from so many people, credit unions must “saturate” them with their message, Donovan said. He said that credit union officials must ensure that they are not lumped together with banks when lawmakers are contemplating legislation.