WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine) today received the Guardian of Small Business Award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) in recognition of her exceptional voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners.  Snowe, who received a score of 100 percent from NFIB, is one of 43 Senators honored with this distinction for voting favorably on critical small business issues.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this distinction from NFIB,” said Senator Snowe, who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.  “The work of NFIB on behalf of our nation’s small businesses, who employ 97 percent of workers in Maine alone, is critical to ensuring the strength and vitality of our economy’s primary job creators.  Based on what I am hearing firsthand in countless forums and roundtables I’ve hosted, business owners are desperate for relief and they want answers to the pervasive uncertainty they are confronted with on so many levels.  Initiatives to strengthen small businesses so they may grow and prosper will remain a top priority of mine in the Senate.”

NFIB President and CEO Dan Danner praised Senator Snowe for “standing up for small businesses.”  In presenting the group’s award today, Danner said, “Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses.  The Guardian award is a symbol of sincere appreciation from the small business community for votes that supported their ability to own, operate and grow their businesses…Senator Snowe’s voting record is one of a true small business champion.”