Industry News

Bryson Sworn in as Commerce Secretary

October 25, 2011


On October 21, 2011, John Bryson was sworn in as the U.S. Secretary of Commerce. Bryson replaces former Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who is currently the U.S. ambassador to China. The Senate approved John Bryson to be Commerce Department Secretary the previous evening by a vote of 74 to 26. Based on an agreement between Senate leaders, 60 affirmative votes were required to override a hold Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) placed on the nomination in July. Bryson previously held the posts of Chairman and C.E.O. of Edison International as well as director of Boeing Co. and Walt Disney Co. He also co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council.

In addition to Secretary Bryson’s confirmation, the Senate confirmed Paul Piquado as the head of the Commerce Department’s Import Administration, Islam Siddiqui as chief agricultural negotiator at the USTR, and Michael Punke as deputy U.S. trade representative and U.S. ambassador to the World Trade Organization.