Here’s a look at the current members of the Senate, and what initiatives they have proposed or sponsored that have an impact on business.

Arizona

John McCain – Repulican
Incumbent since: 1/6/1987
SMB Policies/Laws Passed: Proposed the Lexington Project, a plan to move America toward energy independence by providing incentives to small businesses that explored new technologies.

California

Barbara Boxer – Democratic
Incumbent Since: 1/5/1993
SMB Policies/ Laws Passed:

• • Introduced legislation that would allocate existing TARP funds to community banks if they agreed to restart the flow of lending to small businesses

• • Established the Working Capital Express program – a new lending strategy that would encourage banks to give more credit to small businesses through the Small Business Administration’s SBA Express program.

• • Introduced S.1754, the Home Office Deduction Simplification Act, which would establish a standard home office deduction option that provides immediate tax relief to millions of home-based small business owners.

Dianne Feinstein –  Democratic
Incumbent Since: 11/10/1992
SMB Policies/ Laws Passed:

• • Active in trying to get the SBA to reform its Disaster Assistance Program, especially in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes.

• • Back in 1994, she proposed legislation that was enacted by the Senate to assist SMBs hurt by defense downsizing.