HR 1151: ‘When we roared, we couldn’t be beat’

‘It was a wake-up call for credit unions to evolve politically and get active.’

August 13, 2018 by CU Magazine

Before the fight to pass H.R. 1151, the Credit Union Membership Access Act, credit unions were somewhat of a political afterthought on Capitol Hill, says Buddy Gill, a chief architect of the effort to pass this legislation.

Passage of HR 1151 was a modern day ‘David vs. Goliath’ battle, says the former political strategist and credit union lobbyist.

Afterward, credit unions became a political force and remain so today, says Gill, a former NCUA senior advisor who’s now an Engagement Consultant with CUNA.

He reflects on efforts to pass this historic legislation, and lessons that still apply today.