Historical legislation coverage, reviewed September 7, 2026. This article records the December 2025 House vote. A House-passed proposal must not be used as the loan limit for a current application.
What happened in December 2025
On December 1, 2025, SBA reported unanimous House passage of H.R. 3174, the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act. The proposal sought to increase manufacturing loan limits from $5 million to $10 million. The announcement described a legislative proposal, not an effective SBA lending instruction.
The December 4, 2025 Senate calendar version documents the next historical step. That dated version does not establish the bill's status today. Consult the Congress bill actions for the legislative record and the applicable SBA policy for lending requirements.
Why the distinction matters for a financing plan
A proposed maximum does not establish eligibility, lender approval, available funds or a closing date. Do not size a purchase commitment around an anticipated increase or assume that existing MARC terms would carry over unchanged. Ask the lender to identify the effective program rules behind its proposal.
For current program selection, start with the manufacturing loan comparison. Working capital, owner-occupied property, long-life equipment and refinancing can require different structures and documentation.
Current financing and separate program milestones
As of this review, a single 7(a) loan remains generally capped at $5 million. July 2026 coordination permits separate eligible 504 capacity subject to its own conditions. Read the capital-stacking guide for the distinction between gross loan amounts, guarantees, CDC debentures and total project costs. MARC and other 7(a) delivery methods do not create separate unlimited borrowing allocations.
SBA separately announced its first MARC approvals in December 2025. That operational milestone is different from the House vote. The MARC guide and October 2026 changes address actual program requirements.
Prepare a plan that works under the applicable rules
- Document the project cost, use of funds and borrower contribution before choosing a program.
- Prepare financial statements, ownership records, projections and existing debt details using the application checklist.
- Ask for an itemized fee estimate based on the approval date and delivery method. The manufacturer fee guide explains why MARC and other 7(a) loans can differ.
- Confirm eligibility, combined borrowing limits and closing conditions with the lender. Do not rely on a legislative headline as a funding commitment.
Current-policy reference: SBA origination SOP versions. The effective version and applicable notices govern a new approval.
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