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Wan LixinOpinion deputy editor of Shanghai Daily
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Senate approves Commerce secretary
Source: Agencies |
March 25, 2009, Wednesday
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Online Edition
Online Edition
THE Senate confirmed former Washington Gov. Gary Locke as commerce secretary yesterday, handing President Barack Obama an easy victory after his first two nominees for the post withdrew.
Locke, 59, was America's first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms from 1997 to 2005. He has promised to focus on job creation and to closely oversee the 2010 census.
Some Republican lawmakers have been critical of Obama administration comments indicating that the White House might seek greater control over the census.
Locke sought to dampen Republican concerns about the census at a hearing last week and fielded a barrage of questions and comments about digital television, broadband Internet connections and oceans policy.
The Commerce Department has broad responsibilities, including the census, many aspects of international trade, oceans policy and weather forecasts. It is also overseeing the nation's transition to digital TV.
As the nation's 36th commerce secretary, Locke, who was approved by voice vote, "will ensure American workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive and the economy can grow," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller.
Obama nominated Locke for the Commerce post last month, after his first two nominees withdrew. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson faced questions about the awarding of state contracts and Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire changed his mind about working for the Democratic president.
About half the Commerce Department budget is spent on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which regulates the nation's fisheries, oversees the nation's oceans policies and includes the National Weather Service, among other agencies.
Locke, 59, was America's first Chinese-American governor, serving two terms from 1997 to 2005. He has promised to focus on job creation and to closely oversee the 2010 census.
Some Republican lawmakers have been critical of Obama administration comments indicating that the White House might seek greater control over the census.
Locke sought to dampen Republican concerns about the census at a hearing last week and fielded a barrage of questions and comments about digital television, broadband Internet connections and oceans policy.
The Commerce Department has broad responsibilities, including the census, many aspects of international trade, oceans policy and weather forecasts. It is also overseeing the nation's transition to digital TV.
As the nation's 36th commerce secretary, Locke, who was approved by voice vote, "will ensure American workers can prosper, our businesses can thrive and the economy can grow," said Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller.
Obama nominated Locke for the Commerce post last month, after his first two nominees withdrew. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson faced questions about the awarding of state contracts and Republican Sen. Judd Gregg of New Hampshire changed his mind about working for the Democratic president.
About half the Commerce Department budget is spent on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which regulates the nation's fisheries, oversees the nation's oceans policies and includes the National Weather Service, among other agencies.
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