Credit union leagues in New York and Nevada aren't planning toblitz the district offices of Senators Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y) or Harry Reid(D-Nev.) while the two key players in the bid to raise the memberbusiness lending cap are home for a two-week recess.

Instead, the state trade organizations said they both plan tocontinue their “constant communication” with the lawmakers'offices. However, neither said they would turn down opportunitiesfor in-person visits.

Schumer was quoted by American Banker April 23 assaying a vote on S. 2231, which would raise the credit union memberbusiness lending cap to 27.5% of assets, wouldn't happen until atleast the second half of the year. That statement was adisappointment to credit unions, who had hoped to see a vote on thebill in April or early May.

Has Schumer, a co-sponsor of S. 2231, jumped ship to banks?

No, said the Credit Union Association of New York's MikeLanotte, senior vice president of association services andgeneral counsel. He said Schumer is still “100 percent” in thecredit union corner.

“We do not have any concerns with his support for the bill,”Lanotte said. “He's reinforced his commitment to legislation, he'sbeen a true champion on this for us, and we have no doubt he willcontinue to do so.

Senate Majority Leader Reid would be the one to put S. 2231 upfor vote on the Senate calendar, as he promised back in March hewould do this year. Utilizing Rule 14, the Majority Leaderexercised his right to expedite legislation, allowing it to bypasscommittee and go straight to the Senate floor for a vote.

Jeremy Empol, director of federal governmental affairs forthe California and Nevada Credit Union Leagues, said Reid won'tintroduce the vote on a whim; rather, he will first make sure “allhis ducks are in a row.”

“He has to make sure it has the votes, and all his caucusmembers are taken care of and have no concerns,” Empol said,adding, “He's in the process of doing that now.”

Empol said Reid, who is a co-sponsor of S. 2231, has “beenincredibly supportive” of efforts to raise the member businesslending cap. When asked if he thinks MBL will get a vote this year,Empol said if bill sponsor Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.) is “committedto having a vote, the chances are very likely.”

“Credit unions have 95 million members nationwide, and it'll behard to not give that many people the opportunity for a vote,”Empol said.