WASHINGTON–With both the Defense Credit Union Council and America’s Credit Unions are anticipating there will be no action taken on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) until later this year, the focus of both trade groups will be ensuring no amendments are added that would affect credit unions.
Jason Stverak, chief advocacy officer with the DCUC, said the word from Capitol Hill is the Senate is not going to go forward with a vote on the floor and instead will use Senate procedures to use the version of the legislation passed by the Senate Armed Services Committee as a basis for negotiation with the House version when the two chambers are back in session.
Carrie Hunt, chief advocacy officer with America’s Credit Unions, said the trade group also expects the NDAA to be taken up in the Fall.
Among the amendments DCUC will be wary of, according to Stverak, would be any language from the credit union-opposed Credit Card Competition Act, or the entire bill itself being added as a “backdoor attempt” to move the bill, which is a high priority for retailers.
Digital Ads to be Launched
Stverak added DCUC will be supporting digital advertising advocating its position in Rhode Island, home to Sen. Jack Reed (R-RI), chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.
The objective, said Stverak, is to ensure that in the congressional “sprint” ahead of November’s elections, as well as during the lame duck session, that no provisions opposed by the country’s defense CUs are tacked onto any other legislation.