WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship Chair Ben Cardin (D-Md.) today issued the following statement after the committee advanced the nomination of Dilawar Syed to be Deputy Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by voice vote:

“The years ahead give us an opportunity to reshape our nation’s economy to make it fairer and more equitable, and I am confident that Dilawar Syed’s successful business career has prepared him to lead SBA during this pivotal moment,” said Senator Cardin. “Mr. Syed has spent the past 20 years building and scaling startups and advocating for underserved entrepreneurs, so I can think of no one better to manage SBA’s day-to-day operations as we build back better following the COVID-19 pandemic. I hope for a swift confirmation of Mr. Syed’s nomination by the full Senate.”

The SBA Deputy Administrator is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the agency. During a hearing on Syed’s nomination in April, Cardin lauded the nominee’s 20-year career building and scaling companies that are driving major impact across technology, healthcare and businesses services, as well as his record as a civic leader and advocate for entrepreneurs in Black, Latino, Asian, Indigenous, rural, and other underserved communities. 

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