Tierney, Frank frown on Obama nominee

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: The Boston Globe

WASHINGTON — For months, Republicans in the Senate have dug in their heels to block many of President Obama’s appointments. But his recent choice for commerce secretary has provoked skepticism from an unexpected corner of his own party: Massachusetts Democrats who represent fishing communities.

Representatives John F. Tierney of Salem and Barney Frank of Newton have said they are unhappy about nominee John E. Bryson’s long-ago links to the Natural Resources Defense Council, a group that has earned antipathy from fishermen for its efforts to beef up regulation.

“The one area of difference that I’ve had with some of the environmental organizations is that I think they’ve been reflexively antifishing. We have complained about unfair enforcement for a long time, and they’ve tended to dismiss it,’’ said Frank, who represents Fall River and New Bedford. “We were disappointed that they this guy.’’

Bryson’s nomination, on which the Senate Commerce Committee will have a hearing tomorrow, is being faulted even though his connection to the environmental group ended in 1974, almost two decades before it became involved in fishing issues.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/politics/articles/2011/06/20/tierney_frank_frown_on_obama_nominee/

[Unvanguard]

1. This "not in my backyard" nonsense should be ignored. n/t