Commerce secretary steps down

Major media outlets are reporting this morning that U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson has resigned.

Bryson had been on medical leave following traffic accidents in California.

Secretary Bryson takes medical leave

Here's a press release from the U.S. Department of Commerce:

June 11, 2012

Commerce Secretary John Bryson's notice of medical leave

Tonight, U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson notified President Obama that he would be taking a medical leave of absence and immediately transferring his functions and duties as Secretary to Deputy Secretary Dr. Rebecca Blank. Effective immediately, Dr. Blank will become Acting Secretary of Commerce.

Commerce secretary in trouble with the law

California authorities are investigating hit-and-run traffic incidents involving U.S. Commerce Secretary John Bryson. Numerous media outlets have the story, including the Los Angeles Times.

The Commerce Department, of course, houses the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Former SoCal power exec to head Commerce

The White House today announced President Obama will nominate John Bryson as commerce secretary.

If confirmed, the former CEO of Southern California electric power company Edison International will succeed Gary Locke, the former Washington state governor now in line to become ambassador to China.

The commerce secretary, of course, is a highly relevant position for fish folk, as the Commerce Department includes such agencies as the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Weather Service.