Last month, NCBA CLUSA announced that its Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus was officially re-established in the 116th Congress. The bipartisan caucus, which helps drive a co-op-friendly legislative agenda, is co-chaired by U.S. Representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Jim Baird (R-IN).
Already, four additional members have joined the caucus—Reps. Kelly Armstrong (R-ND), Ann McLane Kuster (D-NH), Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Jackie Walorski (R-IN). Now totaling 15 members, the caucus will be critical to ensuring that federal lawmakers keep co-op priorities top of mind when crafting and considering legislation. The caucus is also a platform to educate Congressional staff on cooperative issues.
Cooperatives exist in every Congressional District across the country and inject $3 trillion into the U.S. economy each year. Co-ops spur economic growth in underserved rural and urban America; empower individuals, families and communities to better their lives; and ensure that people have access to high-quality goods and services at competitive prices and costs.
With National Co-op Month officially underway, now is the perfect time to contact your U.S. Representative and urge her or him to show their support for cooperative enterprises by joining the Congressional Cooperative Business Caucus. To find your Member of Congress, visit www.house.gov/find-your-representative and type in your zip code. For more information on the caucus and a sample letter you can customize and send your elected officials, visit https://ncbaclusa.coop/advocacy/congressional-caucus/ .