Sen. Hirono: “It would be a huge mistake to eliminate SBA’s role in disaster response and relief and have states fend for themselves.”
~ Video of Sen. Hirono’s question line can be found here ~
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, pressed Kelly Loeffler, President Trump’s nominee to be Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), during her confirmation hearing on her loyalty to President Trump, as well as her commitment to implementing SBA programs and carrying out the responsibilities of the agency in accordance with the law. Ms. Loeffler previously served as U.S. Senator for Georgia after being appointed to the position in 2019. As a Senator, she supported legislation to restrict abortions, prosecute Black Lives Matter protesters, eliminate the estate tax, and attack “sanctuary cities” that protect immigrant communities.
Senator Hirono began with two questions related to sexual misconduct, which she has asked every nominee since 2018. She then pressed Ms. Loeffler on her opposition to Planned Parenthood health centers receiving Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, despite SBA’s determination that they were eligible loan recipients. During the exchange, Senator Hirono also questioned Ms. Loeffler on her commitment to implementing the agency’s programs in a fair and impartial manner, even if it means defying President Trump.
“During the pandemic, you opposed Planned Parenthood health centers receiving PPP loans for ideological reasons even though, like other nonprofits, they were eligible for loans as later determined by SBA’s own Inspector General,” said Senator Hirono. “Last week, the President fired the IG without proper notice as required by law and it’s clear that President Trump believes he can do whatever he wants.”
“So, all I’m asking is whether you can be fair and impartial in being the administrator of SBA, a very important position,” Senator Hirono continued. “With President Trump, the laws that he likes are the ones he likes and the one that he doesn’t like, he considers them to be illegal.”
During her line of inquiry, Senator Hirono also asked Ms. Loeffler whether she agrees with President Trump’s decision to issue sweeping pardons for over 1,500 people charged with crimes in the January 6, 2021 insurrection. Ms. Loeffler stated that she “strongly supports” President Trump’s pardons, claiming that the individuals convicted were denied due process.
“They were not denied due process because they were tried and found guilty and some of them even admitted their guilt,” responded Senator Hirono. “So, I am disappointed that you agree that these violent—basically criminals—should be pardoned.”
Senator Hirono then asked Ms. Loeffler whether she agrees with President Trump’s proposal to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and leave disaster relief efforts entirely up to individual states.
“I have seen the devastation in Lahaina and the role FEMA and SBA played in the recovery. The SBA itself provided hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to help Lahaina recover,” said Senator Hirono. “It would be a huge mistake to eliminate SBA’s role in disaster response and relief and have states fend for themselves.”
The full transcript of Senator Hirono’s exchange with Ms. Loeffler is available below. Video of Senator Hirono’s question line can be found here.
Sen. Hirono: Thank you Madam Chair. Mrs. Loeffler, welcome. As part of my responsibility as a member of this committee, as well as all the other committees on which I sit, I ask the following two initial questions of all nominees who come before any of my committees.
So, I’ll ask you, since you became a legal adult, have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual nature?
Ms. Loeffler: No, senator.
Sen. Hirono: Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement relating to this kind of conduct?
Ms. Loeffler: No, senator.
Sen. Hirono: During the pandemic, you opposed Planned Parenthood health centers receiving PPP loans for ideological reasons, even though, like other nonprofits, they were eligible for loans as later determined by SBA’s own Inspector General. Last week, the President fired the IG without proper notice as required by law and it’s clear that President Trump believes he can do whatever he wants. As the administrator, should you be confirmed, would you commit to implementing SBA programs in a fair and impartial manner?
Ms. Loeffler: Senator Hirono, let me first say, I’d hoped that we could be able to meet. I requested several meetings. I keep the people of Maui in my prayers. I know that they are still struggling through the disaster that occurred about 18 months ago and I hope that we can work together. But let me correct, with all due respect, the premise of—both premises of your question. I objected to the Planned Parenthood receipt of COVID relief loans because they did not fit the parameters of the program—
Sen. Hirono: Actually Ms. Loeffler—
Ms. Loeffler: —because of the affiliation requirements—
Sen. Hirono: —you do know that the IG said—took a contrary position. So, all I’m asking is whether you can be fair and impartial in being the administrator of SBA, a very important position, as you say. There’ so many small businesses throughout our country, so just a simple affirmation that you can do so is what I’m asking.
Ms. Loeffler: Senator, I will faithfully uphold all of the laws and ethics rules.
Sen. Hirono: Well, the thing is that, as I mention, with President Trump, the laws that he likes are the ones he likes and the one that he doesn’t like, he considers them to be illegal, but I will move on.
As a senator, you cosponsored the resolution recognizing Brian Sicknick, the U.S. Capitol Police officer who was brutally attacked during the January 6 insurrection and who later died as a result. Last week, the President issued blanket pardons for the January 6 insurrectionists, including those responsible for attacking Officer Sicknick. Do you agree with the President’s decision to pardon these violent offenders, yes or no?
Ms. Loeffler: Yes, senator. I strongly support President’s pardon. These individuals were denied due process and it is time to get past political persecution in this country—that’s what Americans voted for.
Sen. Hirono: Mrs. Loeffler, they were not denied due process because they were tried and found guilty and some of them even admitted their guilt. So, I am disappointed that you agree that these violent—basically criminals—should be pardoned.
Let me get to the Lahaina wildfire. In 2023, Lahaina experienced wildfires that devastated the entire community including schools, homes, businesses, and more. Key to that recovery—their recovery has been what I have described as the federal family of agencies which, of course, includes FEMA and SBA.
Last week, the President proposed eliminating FEMA and he said, “Let the states take care of the tornadoes and the hurricanes and all of the other things that happen.” So, I have seen the devastation in Lahaina and the role FEMA and SBA played in the recovery. The SBA itself provided hundreds of millions of dollars in loans to help Lahaina recover. It would be a huge mistake to eliminate SBA’s role in disaster response and relief and have states fend for themselves. Do you agree with the President’s recent comments that states should be left to fend for themselves during and after national disasters? That’s another yes or no question.
Ms. Loeffler: Senator, I disagree with the premise. The President strongly supports disaster relief. He was on the ground just last week in North Carolina and California—
Sen. Hirono: Well unfortunately, he also said that states—
Ms. Loeffler: —I also mentioned Hawaii in my opening remarks—that we do support the continued relief there.
Sen. Hirono: So you support the continuing involvement of the SBA in recovery?
Ms. Loeffler: Yeah, and the President has been clear—
Sen. Hirono: Thank you.
Ms. Loeffler: —that individual assistance will not be paused.
Sen. Hirono: I’m glad you do and that you support the continuing role—important role of SBA.
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