It’s “Hike the Hill” day at the 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
But first, Wednesday morning’s closing general session featured keynote speakers Stephanie Cutter, a prominent voice in the Democratic party and a top strategist, and Nicolle Wallace, a political analyst, New York Times best-selling author and a long-time strategist for the GOP who talked about the 2020 presidential campaign. The discussion was led by Troy Stang, CUNA board chairman and president/CEO of the Northwest Credit Union Association.
The remainder of Wednesday afternoon is reserved for the “Hike the Hill” event, with credit union advocates meeting with federal lawmakers on Capitol Hill and discussing key legislative issues impacting the state’s credit unions.
Among Tuesday’s highlights at CUNA GAC, Nikki Haley, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations and former governor of South Carolina, sat down with CUNA President/CEO Jim Nussle for a “fireside chat” and also presented her keynote address at the 2020 CUNA Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C.
NCUA Chairman Rodney Hood provided an update on the agency’s priorities for 2020 and announced that the NCUA will conduct a comprehensive review of its guidance letters and legal opinions to determine if they are still needed. As part of the review, the NCUA will organize material in a better way so that current guidance is easier to find, and will designate and archive duplicative and outdated guidance, Hood told CUNA GAC attendees.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Director Kathy Kraninger discussed the role of the bureau in the consumer financial marketplace and how it prevents consumer harm, in addition to sharing the CFPB’s plans to review economically significant regulations. She also offered an overview of the agency’s current agenda, including the agency’s “Start Small and Save Up” program, a tax savings initiative.
Attendees heard from keynote speaker David Plouffe, considered the architect of President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns. Plouffe, president, policy and advocacy at the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, engaged in a question-and-answer session with CUNA Chief Advocacy Officer Ryan Donovan. Among his insights, Plouffe shared that presidential campaigns and businesses have similar goals: get people’s attention and eventually their support.
New York attendees received a legislative briefing today led by New York Credit Union Association Vice President of Governmental Affairs Kendra Rubin, in advance of Wednesday’s Hike the Hill event. During the briefing, Rubin updated New York credit union advocates on key federal legislative priorities that should be discussed with lawmakers during legislative visits.
New York credit union advocates also met with the offices of Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer on Tuesday, as reported in today’s New York Minute.
Twitter, Facebook and Instagram users can follow updates from the CUNA GAC by searching for hashtag #CUNAGAC.
Additional GAC updates will be shared in The New York Minute and on the CUNA News website throughout the week.