Long To Do List, but Elections and Gridlock May Prevent Action

As Congress returns to work after its holiday break, credit unions will be seeking an increase in member business loans, the right to appeal certain regulatory examinations and housing finance reform that ensures that they will have access to a secondary market. Every four years the convergence of presidential and congressional elections can cause Congress to do very little. Members want to spend the maximum amount of time campaigning, and when they are in Washington, they don't want to do anything that might hurt their campaigns or help their opponents. In addition, Republicans will try to block most Democratic initiatives and appointees, thinking that there is a reasonable chance the GOP will win the presidency in November and can have more control of the agenda. The Democratic-controlled Senate, which last year buried many of the bills passed by the GOP-controlled House, could well continue that practice in 2012. The fate of Carla Decker, who President Obama nominated in October to succeed Gig Hyland as an NCUA board member, is unclear. NAFCU President/CEO Fred Becker said during a speech at the Jan. 9 MACUMA meeting that "the closer we get to the election, the harder it might be for a new board member to be confirmed."