Chair Ernst Leads Senate in Confirming William Briggs at SBA

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) urged her Senate colleagues to confirm Mr. William Briggs to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration to continue restoring strong leadership at the agency.

After she spoke, the Senate confirmed Briggs by a vote of 49-45.

Earlier this year, Ernst led the charge to advance Briggs’ nomination out of committee and touted the new direction at the SBA as the driving force behind renewed optimism on Main Street.

Watch Chair Ernst’s full remarks here.

Ernst full remarks:

“Today the Senate will have the opportunity to advance the nomination of Mr. William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

“I strongly urge my colleagues to vote yes in support of his nomination.

“As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I have had the honor of getting to know Mr. Briggs and have seen firsthand what he brings to the table.

“He is sharp, he is steady, and he is the right person for this job. 

“Throughout the Committee’s rigorous nomination process, Mr. Briggs showed up prepared, he was respectful, and ready to engage.

“The professionalism and seriousness with which he approached the Committee made it clear that he would be ready to lead on day one.  

“In fact, Mr. Briggs is no stranger to the responsibilities of SBA leadership, having previously served as the Acting Administrator of the Office of Capital Access. 

“During his nomination hearing, he emphasized how his previous work rolling out the Paycheck Protection Program equipped him with practical knowledge and the necessary experience to effectively root out fraud and waste throughout the SBA.

“As we continue to uncover and pursue fraud, it is critical that we have a Deputy Administrator who can identify and evade pitfalls while simultaneously ensuring the agency’s day-to-day operations are running smoothly.

“Mr. Briggs has also committed to working hand-in-hand with SBA’s field offices to ensure that small businesses from any community – instead of just certain demographics – can access the support that they deserve. 

“This position isn’t just professional for Mr. Briggs, but it’s also personal.

“As a former entrepreneur who ran two small businesses, he knows what it’s like to balance the books, tackle red tape, and manage employees.

“He also understands the pressures and uncertainty that so many small business owners face every single day. 

“The one-two punch of his government experience and private sector entrepreneurship makes Mr. Briggs the perfect candidate to help Administrator Loeffler make the SBA more accountable, more efficient, more transparent, and more focused on its core mission: which is helping America’s job creators succeed.  

“Let’s give Main Street America someone who will fight with them, and for them.

“Again, I urge all of my colleagues to support Mr. Briggs’ nomination for Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration.”

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