CUNA Largesse Reaches CongressionalSupporters

WASHINGTON - (03/15/06) – CUNA’s political actioncommittee, which has been making major inroads on Capitol Hill overthe last five ascended to the fifth most generous non-partisan PAClast year, according to the Federal Election Commission.CUNA’s PAC, known as CU Legislative Action Council, madealmost $1.2 million in campaign contributions in 2005, putting itjust behind the National Association of Realtors ($1.5 million),National Beer Wholesalers ($1.4 million), Trial Lawyers Association($1.2 million) and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers($1.2 million). That’s even though CUNA was only the 38thmost successful in raising fund, about $1.8 million. The figuresdon’t include almost $200,000 CUNA contributed to bothpolitical parties. The American Bankers Association, which operatesthe largest bank PAC, came in down the list at $1 million incontributions. CUNA started 2006, the important election year, with$561,000 in cash for contributions.