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According to your League's tracking, emails, letters and phone calls to all four members of Maine's Congressional Delegation from Maine CUs urging them to join as co-sponsors for the Senate and House Data Security bills introduced in late April have now topped 1,000. While that is a strong start in the few weeks since your League issued the Call To Action, more communications are needed to Senators Collins and King, and Congresswoman Pingree and Congressman Poliquin.
Both bills were introduced within a week of each other with the Senate bill, S.961 - The Data Security Act of 2015 introduced first, followed by the House version, H.R. 2205 - The Data Security Act. The focus is now on getting additional co-sponsors for each bill to build support in both chambers. Both Senator Collins and Senator King have expressed concern over the issue of data security previously, both in conversations with your League and on the floor of the Senate. Your League has also had conversations with Congresswoman Pingree and Congressman Poliquin on this issue.
Your League's President John Murphy applauded the initial response from Maine CUs and noted that at least one Maine credit union has expanded the Call To Action to its membership. "Maine State CU is participating in the Credit Union National Association's (CUNA) new Member Activation Program (MAP), an effort to mobilize credit union membership to engage on certain issues. We know that Maine State CU is encouraging its members to contact our Congressional Delegation asking for their sponsorship and support. We need to continue to communicate with our entire Delegation regarding these bills. From credit union staff, management and volunteers to, in some cases, members, we hope more individuals will take a moment to participate in this Call To Action through email, by letter, or by phone."
Both bills would provide for stronger merchant standards and a federal notification requirement for merchants when breaches occur. "Data breaches is an issue that is not going away. Please let both Senators and the respective member of Congress know how important this issue is, and ask them to join as a co-sponsor of the legislation in their chamber," explained Jon Paradise, Vice President of Governmental and Public Affairs for your League.
Please report a list of communications sent (emails, letters and/or phone calls) by your credit union as often as possible to your League by emailing Jon Paradise.
Call To Action Contact Information:
Senator Collins
Click here to email
Phone - 202.224.2523
Senator King
Click here to email
Phone - 202.224.5344
Congresswoman Pingree (First District)
Click here to email
Phone - 202.225.6116
Congressman Poliquin (Second District)
Click here to email
Phone - 202.225.6306
Resources:
H.R. 2205 - The Data Security Act