May 12, 2026
Dear Credit Union Leaders,
MCUL GAC is here! As we gather in Lansing to advocate, here are the updates you need!
Advocacy
In Lansing, the legislature has returned from a brief recess to resume work on the FY2027 Budget. MCUL’s Advocacy Team remains focused on our budget priorities, including continued funding for the state CDFI fund as well as the Michigan Saves program. As mentioned previously, both chambers of the legislature have expressed a desire to complete work by the statutory deadline of July 1 this year as their focus will turn political by early summer. Legislation to enable DIFS to authorize private primary share insurance will be heard before the House Insurance Committee this week, with its Chair, state Rep. Mike Harris, as the lead sponsor in the package. Additional operational amendments to the Michigan Credit Union Act (MCUA) will be introduced soon as well, with the final bill in the package now having a lead sponsor secured. As mentioned last month, our team continues to work with stakeholders and monitor legislation to “clarify” the impact of failure to timely record deeds and affidavits related to certain MSHDA loans and foreclosure sales. We also continue to monitor efforts on robocalls and telemarketers, cryptocurrency kiosks, earned wage access, public investment reforms, and potential efforts on maritime liens. There are still no direct signs of state-level interchange legislation, but our team remains watchful.
In Washington, D.C., President Trump announced on Monday the appointment of John Crews, the U.S. Treasury’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Financial Institutions Policy, to the NCUA Board. Prior to joining the U.S. Treasury Department, he served as a policy advisor on economics and financial services to U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise (R-LA). He has also served as Policy Director for the U.S. Senate Banking Committee. He has held a number of other relevant positions on legislative and executive branch staff.
Reconciliation “2.0” efforts related to immigration enforcement funding continue, and while conversations about a “3.0” effort are ongoing, most observers still see the chances as “slim.” The U.S. Senate Banking Committee will mark up the CLARITY Act, dealing with cryptocurrency issues, this week. Credit unions’ top priority of parity with banks has been secured although continued diligence is in order to preserve it. With that battle won, the next priority is working to achieve parity on yield disparity and deposit flight concerns. The U.S. House Financial Services Committee will markup the Bank Fraud Technology Act, the GUARD Act, and the Guardian of Protected Aging and Retirees from Deception Act, as well as AI-related legislation.
Related to the federal interchange battle, as the court battle returns to the trial court level, America’s Credit Unions and the Illinois Credit Union League are collaborating on ads to run in local publications over the next several weeks to continue highlighting the consequences of Illinois’ state law, urging lawmakers to repeal it and combatting retailers’ messaging. GoWest and America’s Credit Unions are closely engaged as Colorado’s interchange fee legislation now advances to Governor Polis. In this measure, institutions under $60 billion are exempt but Navy Federal CU and State Employees Credit Union (NC) are the two credit unions nationally that will be impacted if enacted. This bill was passed at the last minute with a narrow one-vote margin in the Colorado Senate. Our industry’s national focus now is to work toward a veto of this legislation.
Grassroots and Advocacy Funding
Thank you to all of our advocates for attending the 2026 MCUL State GAC this week! Over 160 credit union professionals and volunteers gathered to make our industry’s voice heard, and to learn about current issues and make an impact in this critical election cycle. A sincere thank you as well to Greg Mesack of America’s Credit Unions, Austin DeBey of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL), Anthony Ware of Luminate (Louisiana), Andrew Canan of the Ohio Credit Union League, and Billy Boylston of the Carolinas Credit Union League for joining with us and helping to round out some great sessions and panels. This year’s “PAC the Pub!” was also a success, and it was fantastic to meet up with all of our GAC attendees at this fun event.
Registration is open for Congressional Caucus 2026, hosted by America’s Credit Unions. The event takes place September 13-15 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Our own MCUL Hike the Hill will take place adjacent to the event, beginning September 15.
Elections
The filing deadline for this year’s elections has passed and the field is set for our state and federal elections. As a reminder, all 110 state House seats, 38 state Senate seats, 13 U.S. House seats and Executive Branch positions, as well as one open U.S. Senate seat will be up for election. In addition to these seats, there are statewide university boards and Supreme Court races, as well as local and lower-level judicial races on the ballot. MCUL does not engage in judicial or university races, or local races.
If you have any information or if you or your credit union has a particular relationship with any state or federal candidates, please contact our team and share what you know! Endorsement of candidates will be considered on a monthly basis, based on survey results as well as member and staff input and intel. Support for candidates is based on their support for the credit union philosophy and difference, and is not based in any manner on partisan considerations. Please see below for the latest on endorsements made in any races!
As always, thank you for all that you do for Michigan’s credit unions!
U.S. House
U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, 1st District
U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, 2nd District
U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, 3rd District
U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, 4th District
U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, 5th District
U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, 6th District
U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain, 9th District
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib, 12th District
« Return to "Roundup"
