Edwards proposes 'Brownie's Law'
Posted: Saturday, December 08, 2007 3:01 PM by Domenico Montanaro
From NBC/NJ’s Tricia MillerCONCORD, N.H. --
Edwards, who launched his candidacy in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, took a question this morning on rebuilding the Gulf Coast city. He talked about improving law enforcement, providing stepping-stone jobs and rebuilding infrastructure, including hospitals and schools. He then told the questioner about what he calls “Brownie’s Law,” named after former FEMA head Michael Brown.
“It’s a radical idea,” Edwards quipped. “Here’s what it would provide: that in order to be in charge of a major federal agency you have to actually have some experience and competence….”
The last few words of his response were drowned out, as the audience applauded for almost eight seconds. Asked afterward about “Brownie’s Law” in relationship to the Senate’s confirmation process, Edwards responded, “The president of the United States has a responsibility to nominate people for major positions in government, who actually meet the qualifications. Is it the responsibility of Congress to also go through that process? Of course it is, but the President of the United States has that responsibility, and we ought to have a law that actually requires it.”
