Kelly Loeffler has officially been confirmed as the new Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) in a 52-46 Senate vote. Loeffler, a former Georgia senator, will now take the helm of the agency.

The vote, which saw widespread support from Republicans, was notable for the surprising support Loeffler received from Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV). Rosen joined the GOP in voting “yes,” breaking ranks with her party to approve the controversial nominee. Despite the cross-party collaboration, all other Democrats voted against Loeffler, solidifying the partisan divide on the matter.

Two Republican senators, Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), were notably absent from the vote, which may have played a role in the narrow outcome. Despite the absence, Republicans were able to push Loeffler’s confirmation through, securing her position at the SBA.

The confirmation adds to a series of high-profile Cabinet appointments as Trump solidifies his team ahead of the 2024 election. Loeffler, a businesswoman and former U.S. senator from Georgia, was appointed to the Senate in December 2019 by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to replace retiring Senator Johnny Isakson.

Before entering politics, Loeffler was a successful business executive, serving as CEO of Bakkt, a digital asset exchange, and an executive at Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange.

Atlanta, Georgia, USA – 4th Nov, 2024. Kelly Loeffler, former Georgia Senator speaks at a Vice Presidential Nominee, Senator JD Vance’s rally in Atlanta, Georgia one day before the Trump-Vance victory

As a senator, she aligned closely with the Republican Party and was a strong supporter of Trump. She ran in the 2020 Georgia Senate special election but lost to Democrat Raphael Warnock in the January 2021 runoff.

The Administrator of the Small Business Administration is responsible for leading the agency that supports small businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States. Appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate, the administrator oversees the SBA’s loan and grant programs, ensuring small businesses have access to critical funding.

In times of crisis, such as natural disasters or economic downturns, the administrator plays a key role in providing financial aid and recovery assistance, including managing programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Beyond financial support, the SBA administrator also works to ensure small businesses receive a fair share of federal contracts by overseeing government contracting programs, including those that support disadvantaged businesses.

The role involves promoting entrepreneurship by managing training, mentorship, and educational initiatives through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and SCORE. Ultimately, the SBA Administrator is a key figure in shaping the economic landscape for small businesses, ensuring they have the resources, funding, and opportunities needed to thrive.

Loeffler began her confirmation hearing remarks by saying, “That’s exactly what the America First agenda does — ending inflation, cutting taxes, unleashing American energy dominance, slashing regulation, and reining in fraud, waste, and abuse across government.”

Loeffler has been a major GOP donor and has held key roles at top financial firms, including Intercontinental Exchange. Alongside her husband, Jeffrey Sprecher, who chairs the New York Stock Exchange, she co-founded a Fortune 500 financial services and technology company. Committed to philanthropy, she has informed lawmakers that she plans to donate her annual $207,500 salary as SBA administrator to charity.