Former WWE Executive Linda McMahon Confirmed by Senate for SBA Seat

STAMFORD, CT — Facing little bipartisan pushback, the United States Senate confirmed former WWE executive and Senatorial candidate Linda McMahon as the head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Tuesday, according to multiple reports including NBC Connecticut.

The full Senate voted overwhelmingly in McMahon's favor, confirming her nomination by a count of 81 in favor to 19 against. McMahon, a Greenwich resident, was nominated by President Donald Trump to head the organization that serves as an advocate for small businesses across the country.

The move comes after a Senate panel voted 18 to 1 in McMahon's favor. Sen. Chris Murphy, who previously ran against McMahon, supported her candidacy.

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“Congratulations to Linda McMahon on her confirmation as head of the Small Business Administration," said Murphy in a statement according to Fox61."As I’ve said before, while Linda and I haven’t always seen eye-to-eye, I look forward to working with her to help small businesses in Connecticut."

McMahon and husband Vince McMahon turned Vince's father's small wrestling organization into a large enterprise with a dedicated national audience. She also had the support of son-in-law and WWE wrestler Triple H, who showed up to the panel hearing with McMahon's daughter Stephanie McMahon.

Related: Linda McMahon Confirmation Hearing Goes Well, Then Triple H Shows Up

During her hearing, McMahon called upon her experience in building the WWE, as well as assured Senators that she believed the SBA should remain a cabinet-level, stand-alone agency, reports NBC Connecticut.

McMahon's smooth confirmation bucks a trend among Trump's cabinet picks, many of which have split the Senate along party lines. However, McMahon was introduced at her confirmation hearing by Connecticut's U.S. Senators Murphy and Richard Blumenthal, both Democrats who gave the Greenwich resident high praise.

"We've known our share of differences, but I've never questioned her unwavering drive and focus," Blumenthal said at the hearing.

Image via C-SPAN