Name the next U.S. ambassador to Canada, business group tells Senate

WASHINGTON – A prominent business group says it’s about time the U.S. Senate appointed the next ambassador to Canada.

The Canadian American Business Council says nominee Bruce Heyman is qualified for the job and there shouldn’t be any more delay.

The group has sent a letter to the leaders of both parties in the Senate, asking them to approve an appointment that has already received the backing of the chamber’s foreign-relations committee.

The U.S. has gone eight months without an ambassador to Ottawa.

President Barack Obama has named Heyman, a Chicago investment banker, to replace David Jacobson, a Chicago-born lawyer. Heyman had a smooth confirmation hearing before the foreign-relations committee last December, was recommended by that body soon thereafter, and nothing has happened since.

Dozens of diplomatic nominations are being held up in the Senate over what Democrats view as partisan payback from Republicans amid a dispute over the appointments process.

The business council’s members include some of the best-known companies in North America, including Coca-Cola, Ford and General Electric. It also includes several past and present diplomats on its advisory board, including Jacobson and current Canadian ambassador to Washington Gary Doer.