US President Barack Obama's nominee for Commerce Secretary may be blocked by Republicans in the US Senate, despite receiving the endorsement of key players in the business community.

As the former Chief Executive of energy firm Edison International for eighteen years and a current board member for Walt Disney and Boeing, John Bryson would bring considerable international business experience.

One year into a five year pledge to double US exports President Obama certainly thinks he's found the right man for the job.

Barack Obama, US President, said, "As commerce secretary, John is going to be an important part of my economic team, promoting American business and American products across the globe. By working with companies here at home and representing America's interests abroad, I'm confident that he's going to help us meet the goal that I set of doubling our nation's exports."

Bryson is one of the founders of Natural Resources Defense Council, a 41 year-old non-profit and has pushed forward the use of alternative energy sources.

Bob Deans from the non-profit Natural Resources Defense Council says Bryson understands the need to develop closer ties with China on energy.

Bob Deans, Assoc. Director of Comm. Natural Resources Defense Council, said, "We need to be players in the export of clean energy technology. We need to partner with countries like China to develop the next generation of energy efficient automobiles, advanced batteries, electric cars. The next generation of energy efficient homes and workplaces."

Bryson is also one of the co-founders of electric car and battery maker Coda, which has strong business ties with China.

Bryson would replace Secretary Locke who's already been confirmed as US Ambassador to China.

But 44 Senate Republicans say they will block any confirmation of the Commerce Secretary position until outstanding free trade deals are signed with Columbia, Panama and South Korea.

"We don't think that's a responsible position. These are important trade pacts and we hope that everything will be worked out on them. But we need to have in place a competent capable Secretary of Commerce like John Bryson and we certainly hope that he will not be held up for these sorts of issues." Bob Deans said.

Furthermore, influential Oklahoma Senator James Inhofe who is a leading climate change skeptic in Congress says he'll be actively trying to defeat John Bryson' nomination and has the power alone to place a hold on the nomination.