WASHINGTON, D.C (July 17, 2025) |
Today, the Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC) provided an urgent update to its Military Advocacy Committee (MAC) following major legislative developments in the U.S. House of Representatives regarding digital assets, financial policy, and defense authorization.
The House has debated and passed two significant crypto-related bills — the CLARITY Act and the GENIUS Act — setting the stage for broader regulatory reforms. The GENIUS Act, having already cleared the Senate, now heads to POTUS for a final sign-off, while the CLARITY Act will advance to the Senate for further consideration.
The House just concluded its vote on the Anti-CBDC Surveillance State Act, which House GOP Leadership agreed to attach to the must-pass FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This move signals a major shift in strategy—using the NDAA as a vehicle for financial services legislation.
"This is a significant development," says Anthony Hernandez, DCUC President/CEO. "For the first time, we’re seeing crypto policy tied directly to national defense legislation. It sets a precedent that opens the door to additional financial policy, potentially even the Credit Card Competition Act–being inserted into the NDAA. We’re going to stay vigilant and proactive to protect credit unions and the servicemembers they serve."
DCUC Chief Advocacy Officer Jason Stverak notified DCUC’s Military Advocacy Committee early this morning, warning this precedent could embolden efforts to attach harmful amendments like the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) to the NDAA.
“The CCCA poses serious risks to credit unions by limiting credit card networks and interchange fees,” says Stverak.
DCUC sent a prompt letter to Senate leadership opposing any attempts or considerations to attach the CCCA to the defense bill, stressing that the NDAA should remain focused solely on defense priorities—not be burdened by unrelated financial legislation that ultimately benefits large retailers at the expense of military families.
DCUC has long anticipated these developments and has been actively engaging with members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees to oppose any attempt to include credit union-related financial policy in the NDAA. DCUC will continue to monitor the legislative process closely and provide timely updates to its members.
Stay up to speed with DCUC’s advocacy and representation at dcuc.org/news.