League Hosts Meetings with Rep. Wittman, Office of Rep. Spanberger

Your League and credit unions hosted meetings this week with two Congressional offices -- Reps. Rob Wittman (R-1) and Abigail Spanberger (D-7th).

We were joined in the virtual meeting by Apple Federal Credit Union, BayPort Credit Union, Call Federal Credit Union and Navy Federal Credit Union for a meeting with Congressman Wittman, discussing credit union-related legislation, including H.R. 7003 and H.R. 6889, as well as military and veteran-related issues that the congressman would consider as a member of the House Armed Forces Committee. For example, we remain opposed to bank industry efforts to take away defense credit unions' access to no-cost land leases.

The Congressman also touched on topics that are personal focus, including the need for U.S. energy independency, border security, sending aid to Ukraine, along with issues related to the economy and inflation.

Rep. Wittman said he understands the Credit Union Difference and how we differ from banks, and he remains supportive of the work we do to serve members and our communities.

As with a number of other Congressional districts, the 1st District has changed considerably due to redistricting. While still covering the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, it now stretches into parts of Hanover, Henrico and Chesterfield counties.

NOTE: Owing to redistricting, it's critical credit unions update membership information in CUNA’s Project Zip Code.

At the request of Virginia Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment, we later hosted a meet-and-greet for Virginia Military Institute alumni and Congressman Wittman at the Credit Union House of Virginia. The event drew 40 attendees, including Sen. Norment and representatives from Gov. Youngkin’s Office and the office of Attorney General Jason Miyares. The Congressmen spoke for about 30 minutes with the group and answered questions on topics ranging from the economy and inflation to the war in Ukraine. 

We also met yesterday with Legislative Director Sam Wojcicki of Congresswoman Spanberger's office. The congressman was unable to join us owing to votes on the House floor. Participating in the virtual meeting were representatives from Apple Federal Credit Union, Navy Federal Credit Union and UVA Community Credit Union.

We discussed several key bills, focusing special attention on H.R. 7003, which recently passed out of the House Financial Services Committee. The bill would allow all federal credit unions to add underserved areas to their fields-of-membership, exempt business loans made by credit unions in underserved areas from the credit union member business lending cap, and expand the definition of an underserved area to include New Markets Tax Credit areas and any area that is more than 10 miles from the nearest financial institution branch.

Wojcicki said the Congresswoman remains supportive of credit unions, and noted she may sign on as a co-sponsor to some of the credit union-related bills pending in the House. She also remains opposed to any move to tax credit unions. 

Again, we would note the importance of updating your Project Zip Code information! Rep. Spanberger is running in the heavily redrawn 7th District.