Credit union lobbyists emerged hopeful from a one-on-one meeting yesterday with House Majority Whip Tom DeLay (R-Texas) on the fate of the pending bankruptcy reform legislation, reported CongressDaily. According to officials with the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), DeLay told representatives of CUNA and other trade groups, including the Financial Services Roundtable, that the House leadership is waiting for an opportunity to vote on the bill, the newswire reported. "The leadership is for bankruptcy reform," CUNA officials quoted DeLay as saying, reported CongressDaily. "I want to have the opportunity to vote on this bill. I want to see it pass."
DeLay and other House GOP leaders previously indicated they hesitated to force their members to vote on the bankruptcy bill because of concerns raised by anti-abortion activists about an aspect of the legislation. But according to CUNA, DeLay said he was considering "whipping" the legislation in the near future. While DeLay indicated it is a good bill, he made the groups no promises. "Nevertheless, we consider this a very positive sign," said CUNA's chief lobbyist, John McKechnie, the newswire reported.