Legislative Update with Kenley

Senate advances shutdown deal; NCUA reviews budget; and  Roger Heacock scholarship application open.

By Kenley Lamberty, DakCU Director of Political Strategy and Engagement

Senate Breaks Filibuster With 60 Votes, Paving Way to End Longest Government Shutdown in U.S. History
The Senate voted 60–40 to break a weeks-long filibuster late Thursday, advancing a bipartisan funding package that would end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. The measure now heads to the House of Representatives for final approval before the government can fully reopen.
 
The breakthrough brings immediate relief to federal agencies and workers who have gone without pay for weeks. While the shutdown has not officially ended, the Senate’s action signals a turning point in negotiations that have stalled for more than a month.
 
If passed by the House and signed into law, the funding bill will keep the government operating through December 31. In anticipation of the reopening, airports are already preparing to return to normal capacity, with TSA agents and air traffic controllers resuming full staffing. Federal employees are expected to receive backpay, though the timeline for disbursement is still being finalized by the Office of Personnel Management.
 
The National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) Budget Hearing:
At the public budget hearing held Nov. 6, stakeholders including America’s Credit Unions and the Defense Credit Union Council expressed cautious support for the leaner budget, while urging the agency to pair cost-cutting with modernization and strategic reinvestment. Curt Long, Chief Economist for America’s Credit Unions, emphasized the need to redirect hiring funds toward technology upgrades and supervisory efficiencies, such as remote examinations for low-risk institutions. He also called for stakeholder involvement throughout the reorganization process and recommended reviving the agency’s “Return on Security Investment” framework to track outcomes.
 
Chairman Kyle Hauptman reiterated his commitment to fiscal discipline, noting that his office had already reduced staff by 20% and cut contract spending by $16 million in 2025. He framed the budget as a baseline for further refinement, emphasizing that the agency’s support for credit unions remains strong despite having a smaller workforce.
 
Public Hearing on NCUA’s Proposed 2026–2027 Budget | NCUA
 
Applications Now Open for the Roger Heacock Scholarship to Attend the 2025 GAC
The Dakota Credit Union Association is proud to announce the Roger Heacock Scholarship, an opportunity for two individuals from the Dakotas to attend the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C., hosted by America’s Credit Unions. The GAC will take place March 1–5, 2025, and brings together thousands of credit union leaders from across the country to advocate for the credit union movement on Capitol Hill.
 
Each scholarship will cover between $2,500 and $3,500, not to exceed the total cost of conference attendance. This includes registration, travel, and lodging expenses. This scholarship honors the legacy of Roger Heacock, a passionate advocate for credit unions. It is designed to support professionals who are committed to advancing the credit union mission through advocacy.

Apply now!