Legislative Update with Kenley

​Dakota credit union leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for key industry priorities, strengthen relationships with lawmakers, and champion policies that support members, communities, and the credit union difference.

By Kenley Lamberty, DakCU Director of Political Strategy and Engagement

Dakota Credit Unions Take Their Voice to Washington
Last week, credit union leaders from North and South Dakota traveled to Washington, D.C., where we had the opportunity to meet with members of our congressional delegation and discuss the issues that matter most to credit unions and the communities we serve.
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It is always an honor to sit down with our delegation and share how decisions made in Washington impact credit unions back home. These meetings give us an important opportunity to tell the credit union story, discuss the challenges facing our institutions, and advocate for policies that allow credit unions to continue growing and serving their members.

U.S. Capitol Building

Representative Julie Fedorchak

​While in Washington, we were also able to watch the Senate vote on the CLARITY Act. While we continue to have concerns surrounding yield and the need to ensure credit unions are treated on par with banks, we remain supportive of establishing greater clarity in this space and will continue advocating for changes that protect credit unions and their members.
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Our meetings also gave us the opportunity to thank our delegation for their work on several important credit union priorities, including protecting the credit union tax status, advancing the Credit Union Board Modernization Act, and addressing loan maturity limits. Progress on these issues will have a meaningful impact on the ability of credit unions to serve their members for years to come.

Senator Mike Rounds

Senator John Hoeven

​Most importantly, we were able to remind policymakers what the credit union story is really about: affordability, opportunity, and helping families achieve the American Dream. For many consumers, credit unions are the alternative standing between them and high-cost payday lenders or other predatory financial options. Ensuring credit unions can remain strong means ensuring more families have access to affordable and responsible financial services.

It is always valuable to spend time in Washington advocating on behalf of our movement. We are fortunate to have passionate credit union leaders willing to make their voices heard, as well as leaders from North and South Dakota who take the time to listen and understand the important role credit unions play in our communities.
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Stay Connected
For more information or to share your perspectives, feel free to contact me. ​To stay informed on legislation affecting credit unions and track the status of key bills, visit our bill tracker.