Coalition urges Senate to confirm Guzman for SBA administrator

Washington — The ADA and more than 80 other organizations are asking the Senate to confirm Isabel Guzman as administrator for the Small Business Administration.

In a Jan. 15 letter to the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship, the groups — led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — praised lawmakers for supporting the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act. They urged committee members to “expeditiously schedule a confirmation hearing” so that Ms. Guzman and the agency can continue helping businesses suffering from the pandemic.

“Unfortunately, the pandemic continues to wreak havoc on entrepreneurs, their employees and their communities,” the groups wrote, adding that 62% of small businesses “fear the worst is yet to come.”

The groups told the committee that Main Street employers and employees are counting on Small Business Administration leadership “to deliver on the commitments Congress made” in passing the COVID-19 relief packages.

“[Administrator Jovita Carranza’s] successor will be expected to deliver on a newly authorized Paycheck Protection Program, administer increased funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans and grants, prioritize emergency aid for disadvantaged communities, and oversee a new grant program for shuttered venue operators,” the letter concluded. “The aid provided by these critical programs would benefit from having an SBA Administrator confirmed and actively engaged as part of the president’s cabinet.”

For more information on the ADA’s advocacy efforts, visit ADA.org/Advocacy.