Credit Union Times senior Washington reporter ClaudeMarx was on the job with his notepad and photographer JohnCooke wielded his camera this week at the NAFCU CongressionalCaucus in Washington, D.C.'s historic Mayflower Hotel. In additionto their print coverage, which will appear in the Sept. 28edition, there was coverage on the Web. And here are photos of some of the speakers.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), a senior member of the HouseFinancial Services Committee, said Congress could help spur jobcreation by passing legislation to erase the cap on member businessloans, He promised to fight for it and to work to ensure thatcredit unions don't lose their tax-exempt status.

Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffesaid both parties are to blame for the political gridlock inWashington that is exacerbating the nation's economic problems. Buthe added that it is too early to early to predict with certaintyhow the recession will impact next year's election.

Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) praised credit unions for theirstrong record of service to their members and said he stronglysupported legislation to raise the cap on member business plansfrom 12.25% to 27.5%. He said even though his positions have causedhim to be criticized by the banking lobby, which sought to defeathim last year, he was proud of his record because credit unionshave been more willing to do business lending in recent years thanhave some banks.

NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz said the agency plans to add newregulations while streamlining others in its efforts to improve itssupervision of credit unions.

NCUA Board Member Gigi Hyland urged credit union executives tobe aggressive when taking their message to Capitol Hill. She saidthe focus should be on how they could create more jobs iflawmakers raise the cap on member business lending, and also urgedthem to explain to lawmakers the importance of keeping theirtax-exempt status.

House Financial Services Committee Chairman Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.) uses a visual aid to demonstrate hispoint about the excessive regulations that he said are hurtingcredit unions and other businesses.

NCUA Board Member Michael Fryzel urged credit union executivesto boast about their records of improving the financial lives oftheir members when talking to members of Congress about issues suchas raising the cap on member business loans and saving the creditunion tax exemption.