Overview

On October 8, 1940, the Senate established the Special Committee to Study and Survey Problems of Small Business Enterprises (also known as the Special Committee to Study Problems of American Small Business). On January 31, 1949, this special committee was terminated, but on February 20, 1950, its functions were transferred to the Select Committee on Small Business. The select committee was terminated on March 25, 1981, when it became the Committee on Small Business, a standing committee. On June 29, 2001, Sen. John F. Kerry (D-Mass.) changed the name of the committee to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Chairs of the Special Committee to Study and Survey Problems of Small Business Enterprises

  • 81st Congress, 1949-50
  • Jan. 3, 1949 - Jan. 31, 1949 No Chairman

Chairs of the Select Committee on Small Business

  • 81st Congress, 1949-50, cont.

Chairs of the Committee on Small Business

  • 107th Congress, 2001-02

    *Notes

    * At the beginnining of the 107th Congress in January 2001 the Senate was evenly divided. With a Democratic president (Clinton) and vice president (Gore) still serving until January 20, the Democratic vice president was available to break a tie, and the Democrats thus controlled the Senate for 17 days. On Jan. 3 the Senate adopted S. Res 7 designating Democratic senators as committee chairmen to serve during this period and Republican chairment to serve effective at noon on Jan. 20, 2001.

    ** On June 6, 2001, the Democrats took control of the Senate after Sen. James Jefforts (VT) changed from the Republican Party to Independent and announced that he would caucus with the Democrats.

    Senate Standing Committees and Chairmen (since 1789)