In a 52-46 vote, the Senate confirmed Kelly Loeffler, former Georgia senator and accomplished businesswoman, as the new head of the Small Business Administration (SBA). Loeffler's confirmation hearing highlighted her intentions to streamline regulations for small businesses and improve access to SBA loans and grants. The agency's core mission is to empower small business owners with resources like advising, financial assistance, and contracting support. Loeffler expressed confidence that the current administration's policies would stimulate the small business sector and usher in a period of significant growth.

The February 19, 2025 confirmation solidifies Loeffler's leadership of the SBA. (Alyssa Pointer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

During her opening statement, Loeffler emphasized her commitment to policies focused on controlling inflation, tax reduction, energy independence, deregulation, and reducing government waste. She and her husband, Jeff, co-founded a Fortune 500 financial services and technology company. Loeffler has also pledged to donate her $207,500 SBA administrator salary to charitable causes, mirroring her previous practice of donating her Senate salary to over 40 Georgia charities and non-profits during her 2019-2021 term. These organizations span various sectors, including food banks, religious groups, anti-abortion groups, foster care and adoption services, healthcare, agriculture, education, law enforcement, and disaster relief.

Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, championed Loeffler's nomination, highlighting Loeffler's commitment to eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within the SBA, including plans for a comprehensive agency audit.

Sen. Ernst expressed strong support for Loeffler on February 13, 2025, emphasizing Loeffler's understanding of entrepreneurship. (Reuters)

Senator Ernst lauded Loeffler's qualifications and business acumen, believing she would effectively represent small businesses nationwide. However, Senator Ed Markey (D-Mass), ranking member of the same committee, expressed concerns that Loeffler's appointment would facilitate the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) in implementing potentially unlawful funding cuts for small businesses, suggesting that the administration seeks officials who will comply with potentially illegal directives.

Loeffler and Markey clashed during the January confirmation hearing following the administration's announcement of a freeze on federal funds and grants aimed at combating "wokeness" and the "weaponization of government." While the initial memo was rescinded, the funding freeze reportedly remained in effect, leading Markey to question the legality of the action, given concerns from members of Congress about circumventing Congressional authority. Loeffler defended the decision to curb what she described as wasteful spending, linking it to public sentiment against excessive government expenditure.

Sen. Markey questioned Loeffler about government spending during her confirmation hearing. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)