Bryson approved as U.S. commerce secretary, replacing Locke

Washington (CNN) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved the nomination of former utility executive John Bryson as commerce secretary, replacing Gary Locke.

President Barack Obama lauded the development Thursday in a press release, vowing that Bryson "will be a key member of my economic team, working with the business community to promote job creation, foster growth and help open up new markets around the world for American-made goods."