Feb 10, 2010: Labor Board Pick Fails to Advance
President Obama's nomination of union lawyer Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board was dealt a setback as the Senate failed to garner enough votes to proceed to a confirmation.
Senators fell eight votes short of the 60 needed to invoke a congressional procedure called cloture that would have helped to move the debate on the nomination forward and force a final vote. Becker's nomination has been held up for more than six months.
Becker is a Chicago-based associate general counsel for the Service Employees International Union and the AFL-CIO who would join a federal agency that mediates disputes between companies and employees and certifies union elections. Becker's views have been an issue for business groups including the Chamber of Commerce because he has the potential to shape labor laws through rulings on the board.
Becker would "undermine the board and show cynicism in the labor management community," Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said during formal debate before the vote. Becker is "the first person nominated" for the board "who comes directly from a labor organization."
Obama told reporters earlier today he will consider making several "recess appointments" during the congressional break next week if the Senate doesn't act to confirm his nominees.