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April 24, 2012 – NAFCU President and CEO Fred Becker said banking trades' latest distortion on the status of the credit union member business loan cap-lift bill is just that and encouraged credit unions to keep pressing senators to pass S. 2231, the Small Business Lending Enhancement Act.

On Monday, trade news reports included information from banking trades suggesting that a vote on S. 2231 has been "delayed" to the latter part of the year. But Becker said there has been no decision to date on the timing of a vote, only the commitment given by its supporters – including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev. – that a vote will occur.

"While those opposed to MBL legislation would like to interpret the inaction to date as ‘delay,' the Senate agenda is always fluid, and our MBL legislation remains ‘on the calendar,'" Becker said in a message to NAFCU's members.

S. 2231, introduced by Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., has been on the Senate calendar for general orders since late March and, as a result, can be brought up for action at any time.

On the timing of a vote, Becker said a number of factors will have an impact. The Senate has a backlog of legislation awaiting action, including a time-sensitive package on postal reform. "As we continue to prepare for this vote, it is important that we focus on 'winning' the vote, not 'when' it occurs," said Becker. "We must keep the pressure on Congress to pass this job-creating legislation."

The NAFCU president urged credit unions to keep contacting their senators in seeking passage of S. 2231. "We have made great progress on our efforts to raise the credit union member business lending cap," Becker wrote. "Whether you make member business loans today, or may want the option to make them in the future, this legislation impacts us all."

To contact senators, dial 202-224-3121; or get tools to take action.