Congress is back in session after its spring recess, and reports suggest the House Ways and Means Committee is aiming to mark up its tax legislation in two weeks. Engagement in the Don’t Tax My Credit Union campaign is at a critical juncture and America’s Credit Unions will continue to lead a unified tax advocacy strategy among credit unions, leagues and other industry partners to ensure the credit union tax status is protected.
America’s Credit Unions, the CrossState Credit Union Association and Pennsylvania credit unions met with two House Ways and Means members on Friday, Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Kelly (R-PA). Fitzpatrick, a strong credit union supporter, has introduced several bipartisan bills this year to give credit unions more lending flexibility and increase credit union lending to veteran-owned businesses.
Meanwhile, America’s Credit Unions’ president and CEO Jim Nussle said the cumulative advocacy efforts of the credit union sector and its partners will make a difference in protecting credit unions’ not-for-profit status.
“We believe two key messages of ours have gotten through: First, that credit unions do such a great job for their members in their communities with financial well-being, advancing small businesses. We have been effusive in everything from data to stories, to let them know why the credit union difference is so important,” Nussle said in a new article in CUToday. Second, Nussle added, America’s 140 million credit union members are prepared to mobilize.
Don’t Tax My Credit Union resources for credit unions and leagues are available on America’s Credit Unions’ website, and the campaign website also includes tools for consumers to engage directly with lawmakers.
Whether it’s sharing a personal story via the Social Media Toolkit, contacting lawmakers, or writing op-eds and letters to the editor, engagement in these grassroots advocacy efforts will further amplify the credit union difference among decision makers.