Michigan's congressional delegation is lining up to oppose the interchange amendment, signing a "Dear Conferee" letter regarding the provision in the Senate financial reform bill. Eight members have now agreed to sign the letter, including U.S. Reps. Dale Kildee, D-Flint, Dave Camp, R-Midland, Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, Candice Miller, R-Harrison Township, Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Detroit, Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland.
The MCUL is encouraging credit unions in these districts to reach out and thank their lawmakers for taking a stand on this important issue. For districts whose Congressional representatives have not signed on to the letter, the credit union community should take this opportunity to urge them to do so. Groups such as the Retail Industry Leaders Association have lobbied Congress to include the interchange provision in the bill, so it is critical that credit unions line up supporters to sign the letter.
As U.S. Rep. Gary Peters has been named to the conference committee, it is unlikely that he will be signing a letter addressed to the conferees.
To contact the delegation use either the Senate action alert or the House action alert. Credit unions can also contact MCUL's Jordan Kingdon at Jordan.Kingdon@mcul.org or (800) 262-6285 ext. 475. Credit unions can also use CUNA's toll-free (800-223-5275) number to help staff and members contact those legislators not on the “Dear Conferee” letter to make their opposition to the interchange amendment clear.
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