DCUC hosts 4th quarter Military Advocacy Committee Meeting
WASHINGTON, DC (November 15, 2022) — DCUC hosted its fourth quarter Military Advocacy Committee (MAC) meeting on November 2. DCUC President/CEO Anthony Hernandez provided committee members and guests with an update on legislative and regulatory progress in addition to several advocacy wins for 2022.
Hernandez discussed a variety of topics pertaining to bills passed or recently introduced, as well as regulatory and executive branch proposals and accompanying concerns. Highlights from this meeting’s discussion are as follows:
FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): DCUC’s collaboration with industry partners and system leagues lead to successfully advocating for the removal of the Credit Card Competition Act (CCCA) in the Senate version of the NDAA. This was a huge success in ensuring credit unions and the military communities they serve remain protected and well-supported. DCUC remains vigilant of future attempts to attach this amendment, or similar harmful language, to the NDAA as it approaches the Senate floor in the coming months.
Other notable successes under the NDAA: the inclusion of the amendment supporting the extension of the Central Liquidity Facility, the removal of the Third-party Vendor Oversight Authority by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), and removal of Senator Inhofe’s amendment requiring a DOD briefing on why banks are treated differently than credit unions.
FY2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The HASC Directed Study on Military Access to Financial Institutions offered a big win for credit unions as it proved military members are not deprived when banks leave installations.
Secretary of the Army Policy on Financial Readiness Training: DCUC successfully advocated to exclude credit unions from this policy. The language included within this policy contradicts credit union on-base operation agreements which specifically state that they shall provide financial education to servicemembers.
Hernandez also touched on several ongoing concerns, including: the Military Lending Act and resurgence of GAP restrictions, termination clauses and solicitations, USAA & first Command Incursions, S. 2508 Veterans and Consumers Fair Credit Act, S. 1838 Building Credit Access for Veterans Act, H.R. 7003 Expanding Financial Access for Underserved Communities Act, H.R. 1491 – Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act, and Charitable Donation Accounts.
“The Military Advocacy Committee brings our members together to continue collaborating as we strive to champion the needs and best interest of military and veteran communities,” said Hernandez.
The MAC will next meet at the Defense Matters Forum on Sunday morning, February 26, 2023, at the Marriott Marquis in Washington, DC. For more information, visit dcuc.org/MAC.
About Defense Credit Union Council (DCUC)
The Defense Credit Union Council is the premier resource for credit unions on all military and veteran matters. By maintaining a close and constant liaison with the Pentagon, Capitol Hill, and NCUA, the Council champions the interests of credit unions serving our military and veteran communities by coordinating policy, procedures, and legislation impacting morale and welfare, financial readiness, and the delivery of quality financial products and services. Organized in 1963, the Council’s membership is comprised of 180 credit unions with over 35 million members. If you would like more information about this topic, please contact DCUC at alert@dcuc.org.
