Appointment of Charles M. Meriwether as a director of the Export-Import Bank was opposed today by the American Jewish Congress, which urged that the nomination be returned to the Senate Committee on Baking and Currency for further study.
In identical letters sent to every member of the U.S. Senate, the AJC said there had “not been enough time to investigate the grave doubt as to Mr. Meriwether’s fitness and suitability for the high position to which he has been named.” It added that the Senate should not foreclose these doubts by hasty approval of an appointment which has raised so many unanswered questions.
The nomination, which was approved by the Senate Banking Committee last Thursday by a five to four vote, is expected to reach the Senate floor tomorrow. The AJC said that on the basis of his record, “we firmly believe that Mr. Meriwether should not be approved for a high Federal office, particularly one requiring dealings with African nations.”
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
