CUNA, lawmakers still working on bankruptcy bill

WASHINGTON-CUNA scheduled a meeting last week with House Judiciary Chairman Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), and bankruptcy bill authors Congressman George Gekas (R-Pa.) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) to discuss options for pushing the troubled bill through. Though Gekas and Grassley were called away for last minute meetings elsewhere, CUNA lobbyists met with Sensenbrenner to talk about strategy in getting reform legislation passed by the Congress and onto the president's desk. The lawmaker asked CUNA to continue its strong lobbying and grassroots efforts in support of H.R. 333, according to CUNA Vice President and Senior Legislative Counsel Gary Kohn. House leadership is considering a variety options for getting the bill through, which Kohn declined to discuss specifics on. The lobbyist did say that lawmakers are seriously discussing a last minute effort during the expected lame duck session of Congress. The bill remains a high priority and is "by no means dead," he added. CUNA had been opposed to addressing the bill after the elections, which could dampen Democratic enthusiasm for passing a bill. Senate Judiciary Chairman Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) has said he will not bring bankruptcy reform legislation up for a vote next session if the Democrats remain in control of the Senate.