But the work does not end here. Credit union advocacy efforts will be ongoing throughout the rest of the week as credit union leaders, leagues, and advocates trek to Capitol Hill to meet with policymakers on the key issues we have been discussing throughout the week, including interchange protection, NCUA independence, the fate of the CFPB, and perhaps most importantly, preserving the credit union tax exemption status.

In acknowledgment of that continued work, much of today’s general session focused on providing last minute advice on how best to approach these meetings, convey the credit union story well, and leave a lasting impact on policy makers. Attendees heard from multiple senators, leaders from America’s Credit Unions, and the keynote speaker of the day on the importance of getting these meetings right to safeguard the entire cooperative movement.

Jim Nussle offers last thoughts before hill hikes

First to the stage—and for the final time this GAC—was America’s Credit Unions President and CEO Jim Nussle (hustle-less this go-round) along with Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt, to give one last pep talk to attendees in preparation for their hill hikes.

“This is a special day for me because, the last few days, you’ve heard a lot from this stage, but this is the day we get to hear from you, where your voices get to be heard on Capitol Hill.”

Nussle highlighted just how critical it is that the stories credit unions share this week need to be lasting and impactful (something our keynote speaker will be assisting with later on) to ensure that policymakers remember the conversations they had. After all, industry-harming changes and policies won’t come knocking on the front door in the light of day, Nussle argued. They will not be brought to the floor for a vote. Instead, they will be sneak attacks made in private meetings.

“What we need to do today, tomorrow, when you’re back home talking to your senators and representatives is making sure you continue to talk about the credit union difference, asking them to support us not just in the light of day, but also in those conversations in the back of the chamber…those are the most important conversations and they need to hear your voice. They need to have it written in their ears, the fact that you were here, the data you brought, and the stories about your members and how you’re making a difference for them.”

Nussle closed by expressing that despite the “peril in front of us,” he is confident that our industry will ultimately succeed in preserving the tax exemption status and achieving pro-credit union legislation and policies.

Hunt followed up by sharing that the 2025 Government Affairs Conference had the highest attendance ever, and she was incredibly thrilled at the industrial strength advocacy that had been displayed this week, noting that this energy should follow the credit union leaders there today into their hill hikes.

Senator Ron Wyden offers partnership on key issues

The first of the three government officials attendees heard from today was Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oreg.), who serves as a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee. Wyden assured credit unions that he is a staunch supporter of the credit union movement and promised to continue fighting for the industry’s best interests—namely the tax exemption status and the small business lending cap—at the capital, even offering for a few of his staffers to work side by side with credit unions at the hill hikes later that day.

“I have personally seen what the tax exemption does in communities, the kind of investments you make in them that the big banks are not going to touch,” Wyden stated. “And my goodness, we need the small businesses more than we ever have, and that’s what you all do—you step in and you advocate for them.”

While Wyden is committed to these issues, however, he also stressed that there is a real chance that legislation supporting credit unions, such as the small business lending cap, may not make the cut, especially as promises have already been made by the administration during the campaign that will need to be upheld, such as no tax on tips, overtime, etc.

With many of these decisions coming down to a minuscule number of individuals having private conversations, and with the money to support these campaign promises needing to come from somewhere, Wyden expressed uncertainty of what cuts would be made to find the capital, placing further emphasis on the critical nature of the hill hikes.

“This is not the time to say ‘we’ve got it in the bag.’ This is a time of substantial uncertainty in politics and the economy. Let’s continue working together to make sure that you come out on the right side of this debate.”

Elissa McCarter-Laborde discusses global advocacy

While much of the conversation throughout this week has been focused on local and national advocacy efforts, it is critical to remember that there is credit union work being done on the global level as well, and that’s what the next speaker of the day, Elissa McCarter-Laborde of the World Council of Credit Unions, came to remind credit union leaders of the U.S. about.

The World Council of Credit Unions has faced great challenges since the administration changes in January. As a result of the USAID spending freeze and subsequent executive orders, the organization lost much of the funding it was using to support international credit union advocacy and communities in need.

Speaking frankly about the seriousness of the issue, McCarter-Laborde called this time “without a doubt, the most difficult point of my career.” In the face of these overwhelming changes, McCarter-Laborde remains confident in the WOCCU’s global efforts, and praised many of the achievements the organization has accomplished of late.

From strengthening financial systems in Ukraine to allow credit union doors to remain open during the war, to reaching 200,000 young refugees from Latin America to help them start new lives, and to supporting new credit unions in numerous countries, including Guatemala, Kenya, and other parts of Africa, the WOCCU has brought the spirit of cooperatives to fruition around the world.

In an effort to continue this work and push back against the spending freeze, McCarter-Laborde announced that in conjunction with the Worldwide Foundation of Credit Unions, WOCCU has launched a campaign to rally the movement. “I want to stress today how important it is for friends not to leave friends stranded, and for credit unions not to leave their members stranded. At World Council, we do not want to leave the members we have been serving and the commitments we have made unfinished.”

Keynote speaker Stacey Hanke provides storytelling insight

Just in the nick of time to help prepare thousands of credit union advocates for their hill hikes ongoing today and later in the week, the keynote speaker for the day, author of Influence Redefined and Speaker Hall of Fame member, Stacey Hanke, brought a more practical perspective to the leadership conversation.

A former employee of the Wisconsin Credit Union League, Hanke understands just how critical it is that lawmakers understand the credit union difference and that our advocates meeting with them this week know how to effectively and powerfully convey that difference.

Taking the “tell your credit union message” story that was imparted on attendees throughout the week to a new level, Hanke engaged with the audience in teaching them how to elevate their influence through their storytelling and become master storytellers to increase impact, retention, and lasting feelings. In doing so, the credit union message will then stay front of mind for representatives as they vote and discuss credit union policies.

“Storytelling is an art,” Hanke remarked. “When you tell your story effectively, you increase what the audience retains and how long they remember it. Studies show that stories increase retention by 70%—but storytelling is also an art because it is hard to do.”

Under Hanke’s guidance, with the goal of better understanding the art of storytelling, attendees engaged in a variety of activities, learning how to focus on Hanke’s main points: structure, presence, and connection. Working in pairs, attendees practiced sharing their brief credit union stories and practicing how they are going to approach policymakers. Partners were then tasked with telling the speaker when they were too long-winded, too unsure, or disengaged.

By the end of her presentation, it was easy to tell that our credit union advocates felt better about taking on the meetings in front of them, and if the line to get a copy of Hanke’s book and chat with her was any indication, attendees walked away more confident in their storytelling capabilities.

Carrie Hunt covers ACU priorities

Chief Advocacy Officer Carrie Hunt came out one last time before the end of the session to discuss America’s Credit Union’s priorities for the year. While the GAC this year focused very heavily on the tax exemption issue and the CFPB, Hunt urged credit unions to keep in mind that these are not the only issues the industry is tackling at the moment, and not to leave other critical topics such as interchange, CDFI funding, and small business lending caps, out of the conversations with policymakers.

America’s Credit Unions is not forgetting these issues either, Hunt stressed, as these are key priorities for the organization in 2025. With overdraft fee lawsuits still on the table, the capital going into the CDFI fund potentially at risk, and more, Hunt assured credit unions that the organization will be tracking and working on all of them throughout the year.

Finally, Hunt reminded credit unions that while much of the emphasis of GAC is on national advocacy work, state-level advocacy is just as important, and should not be forgotten when credit unions leave D.C. in a few days. Many of the policies America’s Credit Unions fights on the national stage begin in the states, including interchange, for example, which has seen 30 laws passed in various states. The takeaway? Continue this work at home too, don’t leave it behind in D.C.!

Fireside chat with Senator Tim Scott

Coming to the Governmental Affairs Conference stage straight from a congressional vote was Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), the second senator of the day. Scott is a member of the Senate Finance Committee, the Small Business Committee, and Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, as well as a previous credit union board member and a passionate ally.

Scott became the instant fan favorite of the day as soon as he shared the two words guiding much of his policymaking: regulatory relief. Scott is currently leading the Senate’s Congressional Review Act Resolution, which would repeal the CFPB’s overdraft rule. With no love lost between Scott and the bureau (going so far as to mimic karate chopping the organization into non-existence), Scott echoed many of the arguments against the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau that have plagued it over the years, namely its lack of congressional appropriations and its single-director led structure.

“The regulatory state in this country is incredibly oppressive. Whatever you do to the largest institutions in the country, it trickles all the way down to our smallest institutions. Right sizing the regulatory state is essential…we must match the right size for the risk. We cannot treat credit unions the way we do Bank of America.”

So long, but not farewell

You know what they say, all good things must come to an end, and so too must CUSO Magazine’s daily coverage and special reporting of the 2025 Governmental Affairs Conference.

Even though this series is ending, coverage of the event will continue for weeks to come as we report on key takeaways from the conference, provide a closer look at the breakout sessions with actionable steps credit unions can take back home, and exclusive interviews, including one with America’s Credit Union’s Chief Advocacy Officer, Carrie Hunt. And if that isn’t enough to look forward to, America’s Credit Unions has already announced the dates for the 2026 Governmental Affairs Conference: March 1-5th. So let the countdown begin!

Thank you so much for joining us all week long as we shared the latest industry news coming out of the nation’s capital. Whether you were with us in person at GAC or back home, we’re grateful you came along for the ride. We’ll see you back in D.C. next year, readers! Until then, keep an eye out for more GAC content coming your way.