WASHINGTON—Congressional leaders are racing to finalize the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week, setting up the must-pass legislation as December’s central vehicle—and a potential battleground for preserving several key credit union priorities.
Despite the month-long government shutdown, House and Senate negotiators continued working behind the scenes and are now aiming to release a final compromise NDAA by the end of this week.
According to Jason Stverak, chief advocacy officer at the Defense Credit Union Council, the timing remains tight but achievable, with both chambers still targeting passage during the second week of December.
For credit unions, the most urgent focus is on ensuring two bipartisan House-approved provisions survive the conference process and appear in the final package:
- Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) improvements
- Enhancements to the Central Liquidity Facility (CLF)
These provisions were adopted with near-unanimous Senate support and Stverak said DCUC is pushing aggressively for them to be included in the final NDAA.
But the compressed timeline also increases the chances lawmakers will try to attach unrelated measures. With the shutdown wiping out most of the fall legislative calendar—especially on the House side—the NDAA has become one of the few viable vehicles remaining.
Stverak said that while lawmakers want a bill that sails through the Senate and House, at the same time, congressional members see the NDAA as the only train leaving the station.
“There will be a lot of behind-the-scenes maneuvering,” Stverak said
Once the conference committee releases its final text, however, “the cake is basically baked,” he noted, with only limited opportunities for floor amendments.
DCUC said it will spend the week on Capitol Hill protecting the credit union priorities already agreed to by both sides.
ACU Vigilant
“This week we are tracking next steps from Congress on passing the NDAA by the end of the year,” said Ann Petros, vice president, policy engagement and credit union operations at America’s Credit Unions. “At this point, there are informal conversations and conferences, with a final vote expected sometime in December. We are hopeful that the CLS improvements and DFI provisions will be included in the final NDAA package.”
Petros said ACU is watching for any additional amendments that could be attached to the NDAA.
“We’re not super concerned at the moment about a big risk of additional language being added at the last minute,” she said. “The biggest concern with the NDAA each year has always been the possibility of adding the Credit Card Competition Act. At this point, we don’t see that as a viable opportunity for Senators (Roger) Marshall and (Richard) Durbin. They have lost support for adding it to the NDAA. That has always been the biggest concern, but we do not see it as a real risk right now.”