WASHINGTON–A new poll that was conducted by a research firm aligned with Republicans in the Senate has found “overwhelming public support” for eliminating the federal cap on small business loans by credit unions, according to a new report.
The 12.5% MBL cap has been in place since passage of the Credit Union Membership Access Act in 1998. The credit union trade groups have been advocating for a lift in the cap ever since.
The Washington Reporter said it obtained a copy of the survey, which indicates that “voters across the political spectrum favor allowing credit unions to expand their lending capacity to better serve entrepreneurs.
Enthusiastic Entrepreneurs
“Notably, Republican voters were among the most enthusiastic — a finding that suggests legislative action could come this Congress, while Republicans control both chambers,” the report added.
According to the Washington Reporter, the GrayHouse poll, conducted Sept. 6-8, 2025, among 1,443 registered voters who were asked, “Should the current limit on credit union small-business lending be removed to let credit unions serve more small businesses?”
The Findings
The poll found:
- 62% of overall voters support lifting the cap
- 20% opposed
- 18% undecided.
There was a net 41 point margin in favor of reform, the Reporter stated, adding that support was broad-based: roughly 71% of Republicans and 59% of independents backed eliminating the cap, as did 54% of Democrats.
A ’Landslide’
“Meanwhile, only 15% of Republicans and 26% of Democrats expressed opposition, underscoring the measure’s bipartisan appeal,” the Reporter stated, quoting one analyst as saying the findings are a “landslide” in today’s polarized political climate.
The Reporter quoted a senior Senate GOP aide as stating, “This is a clear win to put in Reconciliation 2.0, an end-of-year package, or even a standalone bill that would get bipartisan support”
