(RALEIGH) -- The state House narrowly approved legislation that would let finance companies charge more for short-term consumer loans.  The measure now goes to the Senate.

House lawmakers voted 61-54 for the bill. The proposal would allow lenders to charge higher fees and interest rates of 36 percent on loans less than $1,500.

The bill has drawn strong from the leader of every military base in the state along with the U.S. Department of Defense, who insist the changes will disproportionately harm enlisted men and women. Fourteen Republicans voted against the measure, while 10 Democrats supported it. Most Republicans who opposed the bill had served in the military or represented districts near military bases.

Critics also argued that lenders don’t need to raise borrowing costs because the industry is already profitable. “This bill is going to hurt people in this state at time when they can least afford it,” said Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland. “It benefits only one group and they aren’t even doing business in this state.”

“It reminds me of pornography – you know they say it's hard to define but you know it when you see it,” said Rep. Angela Bryant, D-Nash. “This is reaching the level of sinfulness and it’s the kind of action that gets the tables turned over in the temple.”

Supporters argued that the changes were necessary to make sure all people have viable credit options. “We need to be able to provide a methodology that will keep our citizens out of the clutches of loan sharks,” said bill co-sponsor Rep. Kelly Alexander, D-Mecklenburg. “And that’s what this does.”

“I just think we have to be realistic about this and not think we’re doing a service to the poor by denying them credit,” said House Majority Leader Paul Stam, R-Wake.

Gov. Bev Perdue has not said whether she would veto the proposal.