BIRMINGHAM, AL/TALLAHASSEE, FL —The League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates (LSCU) honored Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Rep. Jeff Miller (R- FL) as its 2014 Lawmakers of the Year. Sen. Shelby was presented the award during the credit union Hill visits as part of CUNA’s GAC.
“Sen. Shelby and Rep. Miller have each proven to be understanding of the issues facing credit unions,” said LSCU & Affiliates President/CEO Patrick La Pine. “Rep. Miller is sponsoring legislation to exempt business loans to veterans from credit unions from the member business lending cap; while Sen. Shelby sent a letter of concern to the NCUA about the risk-based capital proposal. These actions alone show credit unions that each has an eye on their issues.”
Sen. Shelby, chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, has long supported reduced regulation for credit unions. In February, 2015, he held a hearing on regulatory reform and invited a credit union representative to testify. In 2014, he wrote a letter to NCUA Chairman Debbie Matz addressing concerns he had on the new risk based capital (RBC) proposal. The letter showed that Sen. Shelby supported credit unions in their efforts to change the first proposed RBC rule, the LSCU noted.
Rep. Miller, chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, introduced legislation that would exempt member business loans made to veterans from the member business lending (MBL) cap. He re-introduced the bill in 2015. Rep. Miller was also one of the first to sign the King-Meeks letter to the NCUA concerning the RBC proposal; he also supports raising the MBL cap, and supplemental capital. Rep. Miller’s support of credit unions goes all the way back to his time in the Florida House of Representatives.
The LSCU said it hands out federal and state Lawmaker of the Year awards each year to show support for legislators that listen to the issues, co-sponsor legislation and vote in support of credit union position. Rep. Miller will be presented his award later this year.