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September 23, 2021
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National Multi-Faith Civic Groups Condemn Republican Boycott of Dilawar Syed Committee Vote
Washington, D.C. – National civic organizations representing diverse religious and ethnic communities condemn the Republican boycott of yet another confirmation vote for Dilawar Syed to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration. This is a historic nomination for the Muslim and Asian American Pacific Islander communities. Unfortunately, Republican members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship have employed unprecedented tactics to stall Mr. Syed. This is the third time Republican senators have boycotted a vote on Mr. Syed’s confirmation.
The senators’ latest attempt to prevent a vote was justified as necessary in order to pressure the Small Business Administration to recover Covid loans made to Planned Parenthood under the Trump Administration. This pretense, of course, has nothing to do with Mr. Syed. The desperate attempt to block Mr. Syed comes on the heels of a groundswell of multi-faith and business community support for Mr. Syed after the Committee Republicans cited Mr. Syed’s membership in a Muslim American civic organization. Earlier, internal memos and statements by these senators made explicit references to Mr. Syed’s place of birth and background. These Islamophobic and anti-AAPI attacks have no place in our society.
After almost four years of this position being vacant, further delaying Dilawar Syed’s nomination prevents the SBA (with a nearly $1 trillion portfolio) from filling out its top leadership ranks and fulfilling Congress’ mandate to help small businesses recover from a once-in-a-generation public health and economic crisis.
The American people reject this religious test and are demanding that Republicans end their boycott of this important vote, which has significant ramifications for the recovery of small businesses and job creators across the country.
Organizations:
AAPI Victory Alliance
AAPI Victory Fund
AlMaghrib Institute
America Indivisible
American Muslim Bar Association (AMBA)
American Muslim Health Professionals (AMHP)
Anne Arundel County Muslim Council (AACMC)
Asian Americans in Action
Baltimore County Muslim County (BCMC)
Bend the Arc
Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia
Desis for Progress
Emgage Action
Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition (ILMCC)
Islamic Networks Group (ING)
Islamic Speakers Bureau of Atlanta
Jewish Democratic Council of America
KARAMAH: Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights
Montgomery County Muslim Council (MCMC)
Muslim Advocates
Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAPS)
Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC)
National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship
Prince George’s County Muslim Council (PGCMC)
Utah Muslim Civic League (UMCL)
Women’s Islamic Initiative in Spirituality & Equality (WISE)
