Association CEO Bratsakis Highlights Collective Power of Advocacy at GAC

MD|DC Credit Union Association President and CEO John Bratsakis addressed attendees at the Governmental Affairs Conference on Tuesday in his role as Chair of the American Association of Credit Union Leagues (AACUL). He highlighted the collective strength of the Credit Union League System and its ability to advance and protect credit union priorities from state capitals to Capitol Hill.

In 2025, credit union leagues delivered significant advocacy impact, including:

• 1,600+ meetings with federal lawmakers
• Engagement with all 535 members of Congress
• Monitoring of 135,000+ state bills
• Direct outreach to 7,400 state legislators

"Leagues help drive the conversations that advance credit union priorities," said John Bratsakis, AACUL Chair. "Together, we represent all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We know our communities, our lawmakers, and our regulators. By staying engaged as leaders move from local office to the federal stage, we maintain the long-standing relationships that anchor a League System connected to all 535 members of Congress."

Bratsakis emphasized that member stories fuel effective advocacy by showing that credit unions are more than financial institutions-they are catalysts for opportunity and financial well-being. When paired with national data and research from America's Credit Unions, these stories clearly demonstrate the value of the not-for-profit, member-owned model and the importance of preserving the credit union tax status.

He noted that this coordinated approach proved essential during the 2025 federal tax threat, when the credit union system aligned on messaging, data-sharing, and grassroots strategy to deliver a unified response.