Federal Advocacy Update

​Credit unions are in D.C. this week advocating key issues at the 2025 Congressional Caucus. 

By the DakCU Advocacy Team

Credit Unions Take Advocacy to Capitol Hill
This week, credit unions from across the country are in Washington, D.C., for the 2025 Congressional Caucus, bringing the credit union story directly to lawmakers. With Congress back in session and major legislation moving quickly, there is no shortage of issues to discuss.

For those making Hill visits, America’s Credit Unions has prepared a full suite of advocacy resources, available through the Caucus app and online Resource Library. In addition, the latest episode of A CU Seat at the Table podcast features best practices from seasoned advocates on how to humanize the credit union story in meetings with legislators.

Key Issues on the Agenda
As debate continues around the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), credit unions are pressing to include provisions that strengthen service to members while working to prevent harmful measures. Last week, two important amendments were filed:
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• Central Liquidity Facility (CLF) Enhancement Act – Offered by Sens. Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND), this measure would provide critical flexibility to credit unions during times of financial stress.
• Veterans Member Business Loan Act – Offered by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK), this bipartisan proposal would exempt loans made to veteran-owned businesses from the member business lending cap, expanding opportunities for veterans to grow their businesses.

Additionally, America’s Credit Unions urged the House Rules Committee to include an amendment updating Currency Transaction Report (CTR) and Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) thresholds—modernization that would reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens while keeping resources focused on meaningful oversight.

Hearings to Watch
Looking ahead, several congressional hearings are on the radar next week. In the House Financial Services Committee, lawmakers will examine the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and consider reforms around resolution and long-term funding resilience—topics that directly touch on CTR/SAR modernization and capital rules. Over in the Senate, the Banking Committee will discuss deposit insurance reform, with implications for small business accounts and credit unions’ role in serving local economies.
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Advocacy in Action: A Weekly Wrap

• Modernizing Reporting Thresholds: Supported Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s NDAA amendment to raise CTR thresholds to $30,000 and SAR thresholds to $10,000, aligning with his Financial Reporting Threshold Modernization Act.
• Supporting NDAA Amendments: Backed Sen. Sullivan’s Veterans Member Business Loan Act and Sens. Padilla and Cramer’s CLF Enhancements Act—two measures that would strengthen credit unions’ ability to serve servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
• Funding Critical Programs: Urged appropriators to maintain FY 2025 funding levels for the CDFI Fund and Community Development Revolving Loan Fund, while opposing reductions proposed in the FY 2026 spending bill.
• Opposing Debit Interchange Fee Cuts: Reiterated opposition to the Federal Reserve’s proposed reduction to debit interchange fee caps, warning of increased uncertainty and reduced consumer access to financial services.

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​Stay Connected
Reach out with any questions or for more details to Jeff Olson or John Alexander.​