Hike the Hill Highlights: Credit Union Advocates Take Their Message to Washington

Credit union leaders from across the Cornerstone region recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for Cornerstone’s Hike the Hill, with 50 attendees representing 36 credit unions meeting with members of Congress and their staff to advocate for policies that support credit unions and the members and communities they serve.

Across the region, advocates discussed several key federal priorities, including the CLARITY Act and digital assets, financial fraud, interchange and the current credit card framework, credit union taxation, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau reform, and balanced regulatory oversight. The meetings also provided an opportunity to reinforce the importance of the member-owned cooperative model and the role credit unions play in strengthening their communities.

Arkansas credit union leaders joined their counterparts from across the Cornerstone region on Capitol Hill, connecting with congressional offices and advocating on behalf of the state’s credit unions and the members they serve. Their participation reinforced the importance of continued engagement with federal policymakers and ensuring the credit union perspective is represented in Washington.

Kansas credit union advocates met with each member of the state’s congressional delegation or their staff. Discussions focused on concerns surrounding a CLARITY Act provision that would allow digital asset platforms to pay interest-like “rewards” on stablecoin balances, efforts to combat financial fraud, CFPB reform, and protecting the current credit card framework.

Missouri advocates met with members of the state’s congressional delegation and their staff, where many offices remain in a listening mode as Congress works through a limited legislative calendar. Fraud prevention emerged as a key area of interest, particularly scams involving cryptocurrency and older consumers. Advocates also emphasized protecting the credit union tax status, preserving consumer access to credit, and ensuring regulatory parity with banks in future digital asset legislation.

Oklahoma credit union leaders also took part in Hike the Hill, meeting with members of the state’s congressional delegation and their staff. The meetings gave Oklahoma advocates an opportunity to strengthen relationships with federal policymakers and represent the interests of credit unions and their members in Washington.

Texas credit union leaders met with more than half of the state’s congressional delegation and both U.S. senators in a single day. Advocates discussed preserving the credit union tax status and member-owned cooperative model, protecting the nation’s electronic payments system, combating financial fraud, establishing a clear regulatory framework for digital assets, and promoting balanced regulatory oversight. The day concluded with a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn, who discussed fraud and digital currency and expressed his intention to support credit unions as conversations around these issues continue.

“Hike the Hill ensures policymakers hear directly from credit union leaders who see firsthand how federal policy affects their members and communities,” said Mark Seale, Cornerstone’s senior vice president of advocacy. “These conversations strengthen relationships on Capitol Hill and ensure the credit union perspective is represented as Congress considers issues that affect our movement.”

As Congress continues its work on these issues, Cornerstone will build on the momentum from Hike the Hill by continuing to advocate for policies that support credit unions and the members and communities they serve.