Dilawar Syed’s confirmation by the Senate would make him the highest-ranking American Muslim in the Biden Administration and his nomination to be the Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration is currently being blocked by several Senators. Internal memos and statements by these Senators make implicit references to Syed’s birthplace and background.
TAKE ACTION: Tell senators to show up on September 21 and provide quorum for a vote on Dilawar Syed’s nomination. Sign your name on the letter to the Senators!
This petition will be shared with Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Ranking Member Rand Paul (R-KY).
Dear Senator,
I respectfully urge you to attend the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 21 and allow a vote on Dilawar Syed’s nomination for Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration.
Syed’s nomination is matter of pride for every Muslim American and all those who believe that anyone, no matter their background or origin, can rise up to serve in our nation. As a constituent of yours, it is extremely important to me that he is treated fairly and moves through the process as he is entitled.
Syed is eminently qualified. An entrepreneur with 20+ years of business and technology experience alongside a history of public service from his role as the founding chairman of the California Entrepreneurship Task Force where he drove economic growth in rural areas to his responsibilities on the Silicon Valley Recovery Roundtable helping the region bounce back from COVID-19. During the Obama Administration, he chaired the White House AAPI Economic Growth Committee to help small businesses recover after the 2008 financial crisis in under-served regions across the country.
He has been endorsed by more than 150 business, industry, and civic organizations including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, National Black Chamber of Commerce and regional groups such as Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing on Syed’s nomination in April. He received bi-partisan support from the Committee in a voice vote in June (which was invalidated on a “technicality”). It’s time to put an end to the effort to stall Syed’s nomination and move forward with a confirmation vote so he can get to work for the American entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners. With COVID surging again, and natural disasters wreaking havoc on our communities, vulnerable small businesses need SBA’s help and SBA needs Syed’s leadership. I urge you to show up on Tuesday, Sept. 21, allow for quorum, and advance him to the Senate floor as he deserves.
