Two Massachusetts members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Barney Frank, of Newton, and John Tierney, from Salem, have been asking whether Bryson’s environmental background would tilt him against Bay State fishing interests. Fisherman, of course, have been running up against federal regulations for years, and don’t want to see someone at Commerce working to kill their business.
Sen. John F. Kerry, a member of the Senate Commerce Committee, has been asking the same sorts of questions. A president’s selections for key positions come before the Senate for “advice and consent.” This constitutional requirement not only keeps the chief executive from wielding unchecked authority, it also opens up the process. Frank and Tierney are listening to their constituents. Kerry is taking those questions directly to the nominee.
As a result, a guy running a small fishing operation in New Bedford is essentially asking the president’s Commerce nominee to address his own concerns.
This is how a representative democracy is supposed to function.
Read the complete editorial at Mass Live.