As the U.S. Senate wrangles over nominations including Gina McCarthy as head of the EPA and Richard Corday of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) released a letter it sent last week to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. The letter urged reform of filibuster rules to enable confirmation of Presidential nominees, in order to ensure the proper functioning of government.

“When leadership is withheld at regulatory agencies, it’s the worst case scenario for business,” said Richard Eidlin, Public Policy Director for ASBC. “It trickles down to a lack of clarity and predictability for every industry concerned. For businesses to be their most productive and innovative, they need clear rules. That’s why we need strong leadership in these agencies.”

ASBC has supported Gina McCarthy’s nomination in the past. In the letter, the group suggests that her confirmation is being held up by Senators who are opposed to the work of the EPA, rather than questions about the competency of Ms. McCarthy to lead. It said in part, “The filibuster is being used to block nominees who are seemingly uncontroversial, simply to express displeasure with the work agencies are doing. We are already seeing those kinds of attacks focused on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).”

The letter also said, “At a time when many agencies are led by interim directors and action is needed on a multitude of issues, some Senators refuse to even allow an up-or-down vote on nominees, even those whose qualifications are beyond dispute.”

ASBC supports reforming filibuster rules so that only 51 votes are needed for executive branch and judicial nominees.

The letter concluded, “We call on the Senate to take action on filibuster reform for nominees and start working together to address the important issues we face. The American business community expects nothing less.”

The full letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid maybe found here: asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/library/docs/asbc_filibuster_reform_support_letter_7-10-13_final.pdf.

The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org