CURIA Sponsors Expect Big Things for the Bill in 109th Congress

WASHINGTON-CUNA’s GAC featured two of the four main sponsors of the Credit Union Regulatory Improvements Act, who have high hopes for the bill this Congress. “The goals have not changed, but we’re considering some modifications,” Congressman Ed Royce (R-Calif.) said of CURIA, which was introduced under his name. He explained that there are “attractive components of NCUA’s proposal” that the sponsors are considering. Royce called upon the 4,000 credit union visitors to Capitol Hill to push for co-sponsorship, which last year reached 68 aside from Royce, but he feels could come to a majority of House members this congressional session. But this is going to take some work from the credit unions, Democratic lead co-sponsor Paul Kanjorski (Pa.) said in his remarks to the GAC. “It’s vitally important that the victory won with 1151 has to be replicated with this bill or credit unions will appear impotent,” he said. Last year, he said about 20 letters opposing CURIA poured into his office for every one in favor and other representatives’ offices have probably experienced similar ratios. Kanjorski emphasized that credit unions’ work does not stop when they leave the GAC, but they need to continue to work to get commitments in lawmakers’ local offices as well.