Advocacy in Action: Building Relationships and Advancing Priorities

From fraud prevention and relationship-building at the state level to major legislative debates in Washington, credit unions across the Cornerstone region continue to demonstrate the value of consistent advocacy and engagement.

In Kansas, that work is extending beyond the statehouse and directly to consumers. The Topeka Capital-Journal recently published an op-ed by Ron Smeltzer, president and CEO of Envista Credit Union, highlighting the growing sophistication of financial scams and steps consumers can take to protect themselves. Smeltzer encouraged Kansans to slow down, verify unexpected requests, protect banking credentials and verification codes, and talk openly with family and friends about potential scams.

Relationship-building is also taking a new form in Arkansas, where the Arkansas Credit Union Association has begun opening its office to lobbyist-focused candidate fundraisers. Over the summer, the association hosted events for Rep. R. Scott Richardson, R-Bentonville, and Rep. Zack Gramlich, R-Fort Smith, bringing lawmakers, lobbyists, and members of the advocacy community into the association’s space. In addition to creating opportunities for meaningful conversations, the events are increasing the association’s visibility as fundraiser invitations and attendee lists circulate throughout the Capitol community.

That same emphasis on direct engagement was on display in Texas this week, where credit unions from Congressional District 17 hosted U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions for a meet-and-greet at UFCU headquarters in Austin. Credit union leaders from across Central Texas discussed issues affecting the industry and introduced Sessions to credit unions now located in the southern portion of his district following last year’s redistricting. The meeting provided an important opportunity to strengthen relationships with Sessions, a longtime member of Congress who serves on the House Financial Services Committee.

Those relationships will become increasingly important as Congress returns to Washington and several major issues affecting credit unions come into focus. Among them is the CLARITY Act, which would establish a regulatory framework for cryptocurrency and divide oversight responsibilities between the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The legislation could also establish new terms allowing credit unions and other financial institutions to hold digital assets on behalf of their members.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has announced a Sept. 15 vote on the CLARITY Act, but the debate has become increasingly connected to another major credit union priority: opposition to the Credit Card Competition Act. Several Republican senators have recently signaled support for the CCCA, raising concerns that the measure could be attached to the CLARITY Act or other legislation moving through Congress in September.

Cornerstone advocates continue to engage Senate Banking Committee members on both issues. From opening doors in Arkansas and educating consumers in Kansas to sitting down directly with members of Congress in Texas, these efforts help build the relationships and visibility that become especially valuable when critical legislation is on the line in Washington.