President to Nominate Bryson as Commerce Secy, GOP May Block
On May 31, 2011, the President announced his intent to nominate John Bryson as the Secretary of U.S. Department of Commerce. Previously, Bryson was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Edison International, the parent company of Southern California Edison and Edison Mission Group, from 1990 to 2008.
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According to the White House, Bryson will continue the Commerce Department’s mission to drive U.S. competitiveness in the global marketplace, strengthen the international economic position of the U.S. and facilitate global trade by opening up new markets for U.S. goods and services. Bryson will also continue the ongoing effort to meet the President’s goal of doubling America’s exports to support millions of U.S.
It is not yet known how the Senate will handle this nomination in light of a letter sent by 44 Senate Republicans in March 2011 announcing that they would be withholding support for any nominee for Commerce Secretary and any other trade-related nominees, until the President submits all of the pending free trade agreements (Korea, Colombia, and Panama). (See ITT's Online Archives or 03/15/11 news, 11031502, for BP summary.)
The White House responded to Senate Republican threats to block the nomination by stating that it would "be folly to hold up a nomination so important as the Commerce Secretary for any reason" The White House further stated that the Administration looks forward Senate confirmation not just of John Bryson, but of his deputy, who was put forward in April 2011, and working with Congress to get the free trade agreements passed.
White House press briefing available here.