The U.S. Senate confirmed Kelly Loeffler on February 19, 2025 by a 52-46 vote to serve as Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).  Nevada Democrat Jacky Rosen joined 51 Republican senators in voting for her, while all 46 opposing votes came from Democrats. This marks Loeffler’s return to Washington in a cabinet-level role after her earlier service as a U.S. Senator from Georgia and her business career.

Loeffler will now lead the SBA, which oversees programs supporting America’s small businesses—providing loans, grants, and resources to entrepreneurs and disaster-affected firms.  Prior to her Senate confirmation hearing, she emphasized her business background—growing up on a family farm and trucking business in Illinois, entering the financial industry, and owning a stake in a WNBA team. During the hearing she pledged to donate her approximately $200,000 annual salary to charity and vowed to work with the SBA to audit operations and reduce regulatory burden on small-business owners.

Her nomination was advanced out of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee by a 12-7 bipartisan vote.  Supporters praised her entrepreneur credentials and midwestern work ethic, pointing to the need for “a new era” for Main Street businesses. Critics, however—including Senate Democrats—expressed concern that her alignment with former President Donald Trump’s agenda and her past business dealings could affect her impartiality and the agency’s independence.

As the 28th SBA Administrator, Loeffler steps into the role during a time of economic uncertainty, inflation pressures, and ongoing challenges for small businesses. Her confirmation signals a shift toward a business-first agenda at the agency, with many watching how she implements her promises of transparency, regulatory reform, and robust small business support.