Commerce Secretary John Bryson resigned on Thursday after serving a short eight months. The resignation came two weeks after he hit two vehicles near his California home while suffering a seizure.
In a letter sent late Wednesday to President Barack Obama, Bryson wrote, “This is a critical period for our country’s economy. We must each day continue to support the growth of America’s businesses, exports, and manufacturing and the vitally important jobs they create.”
“I have concluded that the seizure I suffered on June 9 could be a distraction from my performance as Secretary and that our country would be better served by a change in leadership at the department.”
The department’s Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank has been running the department on an interim basis since last week. As part of her role, she visited Poland this week for a business summit.
Blank, the deputy secretary of commerce, had already served as the acting secretary once on Aug. 1, 2011 after former Secretary Gary Locke became the U.S. ambassador to China. When asked if Obama would nominate a replacement for confirmation in an election year, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney only said Obama has “a lot of confidence” in Blank. “Dr. Blank has served in this position already and done it well,” Carney said.
Obama on Thursday wrote in a statement that he has accepted Bryson’s resignation and wants to “extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to John for his service over the past months.”
“As Secretary, John fought tirelessly for our nation’s businesses and workers, helping to bolster our exports and promote American manufacturing and products at home and abroad,” said Obama. “John has proven himself an effective and distinguished leader throughout his career in both the public and private sectors, from his success in the business world to his work leading on issues in the renewable energy industry.”
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