Newsroom

September 08, 2017

Trump signs 3-month federal funding bill; NAFCU pushing NCUA approps amendment

The House passed and sent the president a funding package Friday that funds federal government operations for three months while also providing for hurricane relief and raising the federal debt ceiling.

Meanwhile, NAFCU lobbyists continue their focus this week on activities in the House, where lawmakers are set to resume voting on amendments to an appropriations package affecting financial services agencies and funds.

The three-month spending bill cleared Friday is a three-month continuing resolution to keep federal government agencies and departments from shutting down when its new fiscal year begins Oct. 1 and new funding must begin. This temporary measure also extends the National Flood Insurance Program through Dec. 8. NAFCU supports longer-term action, but the measure cleared last week means the NFIP won't expire as it was scheduled to do Sept. 30.

The House resumes work this week on amendments to the fiscal 2018 Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 3354). This work began late Thursday. Amendments awaiting action include one that would keep the NCUA out of the congressional appropriations process, are expected to come up for voting this week.

In an email to NAFCU members Thursday, association Vice President of Legislative Affairs Brad Thaler said this amendment, offered by Reps. Mark Amodei, R-Nev., and Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., would strike section 906 of the appropriations bill, which is the section of the bill that would subject the NCUA to the appropriations process.

While the bill contains a number of regulatory relief provisions supported by NAFCU, the association is concerned about the long-term impact this section of the bill could have on the NCUA and credit unions.

Credit unions can access contact information for their House lawmakers via NAFCU's Grassroots Action Center.

NAFCU Executive Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Carrie Hunt also urged lawmakers to support the amendment in a letter Thursdayto House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.