Freedom Action - Senator Inhofe Calls on Senators to Oppose John Bryson’s Confirmation

WASHINGTON, DC – The American Conservative Union (ACU) and Freedom Action today announced they are joining forces to spearhead a coalition a national grassroots campaign to fight the confirmation of John Bryson, President Barack Obama’s nominee to serve as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce. During a joint press conference, U.S. Senator Jim Inhofe, a leading defender of America’s job creators, called on his colleagues in the U.S. Senate to join them in voting against Bryson’s confirmation.

“The Secretary of Commerce should have a record of promoting not stifling economic growth and Bryson’s career is a clear demonstration of the latter.  Not only is he the founder of a radical environmental organization and a member of a United Nations’ advisory group on climate change, he was also a strong advocate of the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill. Even though this legislation would have been the largest tax increase in American history, would have destroyed hundreds of thousands of jobs and made gas and electricity bills skyrocket for every American, Bryson said the bill was ‘moderate,’” said Senator Inhofe. “I am pleased to join the American Conservative Union and Freedom Action in opposition to John Bryson’s nomination.”

Sen. Inhofe also announced at the press conference that he is placing a hold on the nomination.

Bryson co-founded the Natural Resources Defense Council, which for 40 years has worked to impose mandates, expand government regulation, oppose economic development across the country and impose taxes on energy that are harmful to small business and would stifle job creation.  In 2009, Bryson was a leading proponent of cap and trade legislation, which would have had the effect of imposing a national energy tax on every American consumer.

“Despite the grave challenges facing America, President Obama has nominated John Bryson, a well-known enemy of private sector job creation, to lead the U.S. Department of Commerce,” said ACU Chairman Al Cardenas. “Conservatives must lead the fight on this confirmation battle and shine a bright light on the reckless decisions President Obama is making regarding the future of our economy. On behalf of the ACU, I thank Senator Inhofe for his leadership on this important issue.”

“It is absolutely outrageous that a leading proponent of the job-killing cap and trade bill be chosen to head the federal agency charged with promoting economic growth,” said Freedom Action President Myron Ebell. “Freedom Action and the ACU will aggressively educate members of the U.S. Senate, as well as conservatives and free market advocates across the country, on the fact that John Bryson is a terrible choice for Commerce Secretary.”

In the coming days and weeks, ACU and Freedom Action will lead an aggressive charge to defeat Bryson’s confirmation, including coalition-building, traditional and new media efforts and voter contact drives. The new coalition will educate Senators and voters on John Bryson’s history of supporting job-killing policies.

Founded in 1964, the ACU is the oldest and largest grassroots conservative organization in the United States. Freedom Action is a web-based gathering of grassroots activists dedicated to putting freedom on the offensive. It is loosely affiliated with the Competitive Enterprise Institute, a leading free market think tank.

For more information, on the American Conservative Union, please visit www.conservative.org. For more information on Freedom Action, please visit www.freedomaction.org.

WFI Issues Potential Questions For Commerce Secretary Nominee Bryson During Senate Hearings

Washington, D.C. (June 1, 2011) – The Workforce Fairness Institute (WFI) today issued the following questions in advance of Senate hearings for John Bryson, President Obama’s nominee to the Commerce Department:

 

QUESTION #1: Do you believe Boeing violated Federal labor law by opening a facility in South Carolina?

 

QUESTION #2: What role did you have as a Boeing board member in deciding to build airplanes in a right-to-work state?

 

QUESTION #3: Considering you will be focused on the economy as Commerce Secretary, do you believe it is a good thing that Boeing is creating 2,000 new jobs?

 

QUESTION #4: Do you agree with the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) complaint against Boeing?

 

QUESTION #5: Did you or current White House Chief of Staff and former Boeing board member Bill Daley discuss the company’s plans to open a new facility in the Palmetto State and if so, did either of you raise concerns that the opening of the facility was retaliation against the union?

 

QUESTION #6: Do you believe President Obama is responsible for the NLRB’s actions due to the fact he has nominated both Lafe Solomon and Craig Becker?

 

QUESTION #7: Do you believe the Boeing complaint is an attack against right-to-work states?

 

QUESTION #8: Do you believe the Boeing complaint will have a chilling effect on companies seeking to increase production in right-to-work states?

 

QUESTION #9: As Commerce Secretary will you try to attract commerce to the United States by mentioning union organizing as a perk of doing business here?

 

QUESTION #10: Do you believe the Boeing complaint will result in American companies sending jobs overseas?

Shea-Porter Announces $70,000 for Rockingham Economic Development Corporation

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the Rockingham Economic Development Corporation will receive $70,000 to develop and implement a comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) in the region.  The purpose of the CEDS process is to bring together the public and private sectors for the creation of an economic development plan to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.  These funds are provided by the Economic Development Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

 

“The public and private sectors need to work together to create a comprehensive economic development strategy for our region,” said Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter.  “This funding will help them move our state towards a full economic recovery.”

SEIA - Commerce Secretary's Council Chaired by Solar Leader (First Solar)

Appointment highlights importance of solar manufacturing for creating jobs,

increasing U.S. competitiveness

 

Washington, D.C. – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) President and CEO Rhone Resch today released the following statement on yesterday's appointment of Bruce Sohn, President of First Solar, as chairman of the U.S. Commerce Secretary's Manufacturing Council:

 

“By appointing a leader in solar manufacturing to chair Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's Manufacturing Council, the Obama Administration has told the world that the solar industry is becoming a backbone for our economy and offers a bright future for U.S. manufacturing.

 

“This new Council, along with the recently announced additional funding for the Advanced Energy Manufacturing Tax Credit, is an effective step to help America create good-paying jobs and regain its global leadership in solar manufacturing. Step number one for the council should be to work with the Administration and Congress to enact long-term manufacturing policy measures that support clean energy.

 

“Ten years ago, the U.S. produced 40 percent of all solar photovoltaic panels. Today, the U.S. manufactures less than 10 percent of the global supply of PV solar panels. This trend is reversible as the U.S. leads the world in technology innovation and skilled manufacturing workforce.”

 

First Solar, headquartered in Tempe, Ariz., is a member of SEIA and maintains a seat on SEIA’s Board of Directors.

About SEIA:
Established in 1974, the Solar Energy Industries Association is the national trade association of the solar energy industry. As the voice of the industry, SEIA works with its 1,000 members to make solar a mainstream and significant energy source by expanding markets, removing market barriers, strengthening the industry and educating the public on the benefits of solar energy.  Learn more at http://www.seia.org.
SEIA President & CEO Rhone Resch is on Twitter. SEIA is also on YouTube and Facebook.



Shea-Porter Announces Over $1 Million for the Northeast Consortium at UNH

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter today announced that the University of New Hampshire (UNH) will receive $1,034,302 in funding for the Northeast Consortium.  The Northeast Consortium funds effective, equal partnerships among commercial fishermen, scientists, and other stakeholders to engage in collaborative research to monitor marine ecosystem research projects in the Gulf of Maine and Georges Bank.   This grant is funded through the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) of the U.S. Department of Commerce.