A provision in the National Defense Authorization Act strongly opposed by the New York Credit Union Association was not included in the conference report, which is the final version of the bill after the House and Senate negotiated on the language of the legislation. The omission represents a significant victory for the credit union movement.

The Senate version of the 2020 NDAA included a provision that would have granted banks the same rent-free access to military bases that credit unions currently have. The Association strongly opposed the language and actively advocated for striking the provision from the final legislation, citing credit unions’ structure and mission as unique reasons for receiving the benefit.

The House version of the NDAA did not include similar language. The two versions were negotiated and reconciled in the conference committee process. A number of New York House members were conferees in the process, including Reps. Gregory Meeks (D-5), Nydia Velázquez (D-7), Jerry Nadler (D-10), Max Rose (D-11), Eliot Engel (D-16), Antonio Delgado (D-19), Paul Tonko (D-20), Elise Stefanik (R-21) and John Katko (R-24).

The Association and New York credit union advocates worked closely with New York’s congressional delegation, and the conferees in particular, to have the language removed from the legislation.

“This represents a significant legislative win for the credit union movement, but more importantly, it’s a victory for the heroes who serve in the military,” said Association President/CEO William J. Mellin. “I thank our federal lawmakers for prioritizing the financial well-being of our brave military members.”