Two Sign On to CURIA Prior to Recess

WASHINGTON-Through the end of July, the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act (H.R. 2317) continued to steadily add to its long list of co-sponsors running up to the August district work period. Representatives Louise McIntosh Slaughter (D-N.Y.) and Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) signed on to support the bill July 28. Both had been co-sponsors during the 108th Congress as well. CUNA Vice President of Political Affairs Richard Gose told reporters last week that several credit unions are in the process of writing letters to the editor explaining the importance of CURIA. CUNA is also putting together additional materials explaining why CURIA is important for each different type of credit union, whether large or small, community or single sponsor, or field of membership base. The association is also creating `leave behinds' for credit unions `hiking the Hill' to distribute to lawmakers to review after their meetings. "Hopefully this will help them to better explain their need for this to members of Congress," Gose said. More than two-dozen Hike the Hill visits are scheduled for September through Congress' targeted adjournment Oct. 6. Gose said CUNA hopes to generate co-sponsors for CURIA and possibly spur a hearing. There has not been much action as of yet on the Senate side for CURIA. "We continue to talk with people in the Senate about the CURIA bill and whether to get the elements of the CURIA bill included as part of the regulatory relief process or introduced separately or included in other pieces of legislation," NAFCU Director of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler said. For right now, interested parties are looking for best way to proceed. Congress is slated to return to normal business operations Sept. 6. The Senate could possibly get to work earlier for a confirmation hearing on the Supreme Court nominee, according to Thaler. He also said that CURIA co-sponsors cannot be added on during the recess. However, both CUNA and NAFCU are encouraging their members to express their support for CURIA to their representatives while they are home in the districts working during the month of August. -scooke@cutimes.com