Credit unions and their trade associations are lobbying membersof Congress in their home states ­­— and gaining some ground­­—while lawmakers are on a break from Washington until April16.

Following the League of Southeastern Credit Union's stategovernmental affairs conference in Montgomery, Ala. last week,credit unions picked up Rep. Bill Posey (R-Fla.) as co-sponsor ofH.R. 3993, the secondary capital bill, and Reps. DebbieWasserman-Shultz (D-Fla.), Sandy Adams (R-Fla.), Allen West(R-Fla.), Ander Crenshaw (R-Fla.), Kathy Castor (R-Fla.), and JoBonner (R-Ala.) as co-sponsors of H.R. 3461, the exam fairness bill, according to league VicePresident of Marketing and Communications Mike Bridges.

Southeasterncredit unions are also actively advocating in support of memberbusiness lending legislation, telling the stories of smallbusinesses. The $65 million Jefferson Credit Union of Birmingham,Ala., created and posted a video on YouTube that showcases a localbusiness that was able to expand thanks to credit unionlending.