CULAC

Deduct a Buck

What is CULAC?

Put briefly, the Credit Union Legislative Action Council (CULAC) is the best way for credit union advocates to ensure that their political support has the biggest impact.

Put less simply, CULAC is CUNA’s political action committee (PAC) — a vehicle through which credit union advocates can actively participate in advancing the future of the credit union industry.  CULAC’s purpose is to do the research and groundwork to provide you with the opportunity to contribute to the support of worthy candidates for federal office who believe, and have demonstrated their belief, in the principles of the credit union movement.

Who can participate?

Members and employees of CUNA-affiliated credit unions that have a current signed permission agreement with their state league and CUNA are eligible to contribute.

Note: Utica District Telephone Employees Federal Credit Union has a signed permission agreement with our state league.

Why should I contribute?

CULAC’s mission is your success.

Every day in Washington, legislative and regulatory decisions are being made that affect the ability of your credit union to serve its members. CULAC works to remove these barriers by funding political candidates that support the values and vision of credit unions, but CULAC’s work is only possible through support from around the movement.

By helping CULAC achieve its mission, you are joining with thousands of credit union members and employees nationwide to ensure that our movement has a voice on Capitol Hill when the big decisions are made.

Where will my money go?

As one of the most bipartisan PACs in Washington, CULAC supports pro-credit union candidates (as selected via input from CUNA and state leagues), regardless of their party affiliations, in two ways:

• Direct donation to the candidates’ federal campaign committees
• Independent expenditures (advertisements in support of the candidate)

Which candidates did CULAC support in the most recent Congressional elections?

In the 2014 mid-term elections, CULAC supported 396 pro-credit union candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate:

• Direct campaign financial support: $3+ million in total and
• Independent expenditures: $1.2 million dispersed over five campaigns
• Our candidate support was among the most bipartisan in the country, with nearly an even 50/50 split among Democrats and Republicans.
• Our total giving ranked CULAC the 8th largest trade association PAC in the United States.

More importantly, ninety-five percent (95%) of CULAC-backed candidates won election to the 114th Congress, including 26 of 29 Senate candidates.

Contributions to CULAC are not tax deductible. Individuals who are associated with CUNA’s state credit union leagues or with CUNA-affiliated credit unions that have signed a permission agreement with their leagues are eligible to participate in CULAC. All contributions to CULAC are strictly voluntary and will be used for political purposes. You have the right to refuse to contribute without any reprisal.