[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S7689]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                       Nomination of Dilawar Syed

  Mr. President, finally, Mr. Syed. For every executive branch nominee 
who grabs headlines, there are many, many more who escape the spotlight 
while still playing an essential role in our government. Almost always, 
these nominees proceed through this Chamber with bipartisan support, 
but, today, a handful of extreme Republican Senators are needlessly and 
callously stonewalling many of President Biden's uncontroversial 
nominees. The case of Dilawar Syed--nominated to be second in charge at 
the SBA--stands out as being particularly, particularly egregious.
  He is an American success story. He came to this country from 
Pakistan decades ago and became a successful entrepreneur, small 
business owner, and coalition builder. His nomination is backed by more 
than 200 civic, government, higher education, and business groups and 
leaders, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce--hardly a mouthpiece 
for the Biden administration. Upon his confirmation, Mr. Syed would be 
the highest ranking Muslim in government, the highest ranking Muslim 
for Senate confirmation.
  But, for reasons that confound common sense, a handful of Republicans 
on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee are not just 
blocking Mr. Syed's vote; they are refusing to meet in order to allow 
his nomination to proceed. They are just not even meeting, and that 
holds his nomination up. I haven't heard of that happening in a very 
long time.
  To date, what is so confounding is that these Republicans who are 
holding Mr. Syed up have failed to offer a clear reason why they oppose 
him. Each time they try to come up with an explanation, whether it is 
cheap ad hominem attacks or partisan tie-ins to the culture wars, their 
arguments fall flat and are easily refuted.
  Why are these handful of Republicans opposing this nomination?
  Although Republicans have boycotted his markup several times, they 
will have a chance to give this man his vote tomorrow. Chairman Cardin 
has worked with Republicans to try to get them to show up to tomorrow's 
markup. I commend Chairman Cardin's effort.
  Today, I ask: Will any Republicans have the decency to show up 
tomorrow to his markup and give Mr. Syed a vote?
  If they want to oppose him, they are free to go on record and explain 
why, but boycotting his markup, resorting to cheap and offensive 
attacks, and needlessly blocking a qualified public servant is a 
shameful, shameful course to take.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The senior assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.