It Happened at GAC: Successful Hill Meetings Result in Support for Tax Status and Priority Bills

March 10, 2025

Washington Senator Maria Cantrell with credit union advocates

Four hundred passionate credit union advocates joined the GoWest team for the annual National Governmental Affairs Conference (GAC) in Washington, D.C. last week. It was a special week, marking not only the 50th anniversary of the event but also the first opportunity for the advocates to engage in face-to-face meetings with the 119th Congress. In meetings with 47 of the region’s elected officials or key staffers, advocates shared credit union impact data and remarkable member service stories and advocated for credit union priorities.

Support for Credit Unions’ Tax Exemption

Arizona Representative Greg Stanton with credit union advocates

Every meeting carried a strong message: Credit unions’ income tax exemption, determined by their not-for-profit, cooperative structure, benefits Americans far more than taxing them would. Advocates had the data to prove it, and they were heard. Arizona Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-6) made a commitment to write to the House Ways and Means Committee urging protection of credit unions’ tax structure. In a meeting with Oregon advocates, Sen. Ron Wyden pointed out that with his role as Ranking Member of Senate Finance and his colleague Sen. Jeff Merkley serving as the Ranking Member of Senate Budget, they will be “in the room” to watch and protect the tax exemption in Senate negotiations. Plus, Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, a longtime supporter of credit union priorities, chairs Senate Finance.

Several House and Senate members committed to signing on as co-sponsors of other priority legislation including the Board Modernization Act and Veterans’ Member Business Loan Act.

GoWest Advocates in the Spotlight

On Sunday, March 2, Teri Robinson, President and CEO of Ironworkers USA Credit Union, and Frontier Credit Union’s President and CEO Dan Thurman were inducted into the Credit Union House Hall of Leaders during a special ceremony.

Jeremy Gibson, Trona Valley Credit Union

On Monday morning, six outstanding credit union leaders carried their state flags onto the mainstage to kick off the conference. More here.

Then on Monday night, the red carpet rolled out for the Herb Wegner Memorial Awards, the “Oscars” of the Credit Union Movement. Two of the four national awards were presented to outstanding leaders from the GoWest region; BECU’s Deborah Wege and Ironworkers USA’s Teri Robinson. Check out Deborah and Teri’s award videos to learn more about their impressive accomplishments in the Credit Union Movement.

The Credit Union House’s major modernization project was announced on the mainstage on Tuesday by GoWest President and CEO Troy Stang. It will double meeting space and make the iconic facility “a living, breathing impact tool” where visiting Members of Congress will see in real time how credit unions are serving consumers in their home states.

(L-R) Jim Nussle, President/CEO, America’s Credit Unions; Chris Kemm, AVP, Political Engagement, GoWest; Ryan Fitzgerald, SVP, Advocacy, GoWest

Two other GoWest credit unions, Oregon State Credit Union and Lewis Clark Credit Union, received top honors for leading the nation in their asset categories for raising funds for the America’s Credit Union PAC. GoWest’s Chris Kemm, AVP, Political Engagement, received the Chairman’s award for his work to engage credit unions in the PAC.

While the National GAC brings a week of high visibility for credit unions to the beltway, the GoWest team is in constant contact with our elected delegation and frequently meets with them in person. Check out the Advocacy On The Move blog for updates on state and federal legislation and advocacy priorities.

Posted in Advocacy, Advocacy News, Top Headlines.