Senate confirms Biden’s pick to lead Small Business Administration

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Isabel Guzman to lead the Small Business Administration (SBA), approving another member of President Biden’s economic team.

Guzman was confirmed by a bipartisan vote of 81-17. All of the “no” votes came from Republicans.

Guzman has served as director of California’s Office of the Small Business Advocate since 2019. She also held roles at the SBA during former President Obama’s administration. 

She is poised to play a key role in the Biden administration’s efforts to help the economy recover from the coronavirus-related downturn. Small businesses have been particularly hard-hit during the pandemic.

Guzman’s confirmation comes as business groups are pressing for Congress to extend the March 31 application deadline for the Paycheck Protection Program, which provides loans to small businesses. Guzman in her new role will be tasked with implementing any extensions of the program.