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Senate Small Business Committee favorably reports Kelly Loeffler nomination to full Senate, 12-7
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Summary
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship voted 12-7 to report the nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be administrator of the Small Business Administration to the full Senate after debate over her record and assurances for underserved entrepreneurs.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship voted to favorably report the nomination of Kelly Loeffler to be administrator of the Small Business Administration by a roll-call margin of 12-7.
Committee chairwoman Sen. Joni Ernst opened the meeting and said she supported advancing the nomination, saying, "I believe Senator Loeffler is immensely qualified for this role." Ranking Member Sen. Ed Markey said he would not support the nomination, citing Loeffler's responses to questions and concerns about whether underserved entrepreneurs would receive a fair shot. "I regret that I cannot support her nomination," Markey said during opening remarks.
Why it matters: The SBA administrator oversees loan programs, disaster response lending and numerous small-business assistance programs. Sending the nomination to the full Senate means the chamber will decide whether to confirm Loeffler to lead the agency.
What happened at the committee: After opening statements and debate, the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The committee recorded 12 ayes and 7 nays and reported the nomination favorably to the Senate. Several senators used the meeting record to enter statements explaining their votes; Sen. Sherrod Brown asked to submit his statement explaining his no vote for the record.
Context and dissent: Markey criticized Loeffler's answers during the committee process and said they gave "little reassurance that women-owned, minority-owned, and historically disadvantaged entrepreneurs would not be given a fair shot." Chairwoman Ernst and other supporters highlighted Loeffler's private-sector experience in making the case for her leadership at the SBA.
Next steps: The nomination is now on the Senate's executive calendar for consideration by the full Senate; the transcript records the committee's report but does not record any subsequent floor action.
Ending: The committee completed the roll-call and formally transmitted the nomination to the Senate, where senators will weigh the committee record alongside other materials before a final confirmation vote.
