A small business group is honoring nine North Carolina politicians.

The National Federation of Independent Business is giving the Guardian of Small Business award to U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Elizabeth Dole and U.S. Reps. Sue Myrick, Patrick McHenry, Howard Coble, Walter Jones, Virginia Foxx and Heath Shuler.

Except for Shuler, all of the recipients are Republicans. 

The award is given to members of Congress who voted with the group at least 70 percent of the time. This past session, the NFIB opposed bills that would allow "card check" unionization and make it easier to file claims of pay discrimination and supported bills to aid small businesses.

The highest score went to Myrick, who voted with the NFIB 90 percent of the time, or all but one of 11 votes. The lowest went to Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who voted with the group 50 percent of the time or five out of 11 votes.

Fifty-eight senators and 194 representatives will receive the Guardian award this year.