The Senate rejected renominating President Biden’s choice for National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) chair, Lauren McFerran, in a dramatic vote on Wednesday. The decision, solidified by opposition from independent Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, along with nearly every Republican, effectively hands President-elect Donald Trump control of the board when his term begins.
The final vote was 49-50, with Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) notably abstaining, causing McFerran’s nomination for another five-year term to fail. The outcome denies Democrats a continued majority on the NLRB, the body responsible for overseeing labor disputes and enforcing labor laws. A Democratic majority would have lasted at least until 2026.
The outcome dealt a last-minute blow to outgoing Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who had hoped to secure a Democratic majority on the NLRB for the first two years of Trump’s presidency.
Schumer gambled on having the necessary votes despite uncertainty about where Sinema and Manchin stood.
Manchin revealed his stance on the Senate floor as the crucial deciding vote, leading to significant reactions. His and Sinema’s opposition aligned them with Republicans in a pivotal moment, frustrating progressives who had lobbied intensely for McFerran.
The Hill continues:
Reconfirming McFerran would have locked in a Democratic advantage on the NLRB. Her term is up next week.
“It is deeply disappointing, a direct attack on working people, and incredibly troubling that this highly qualified nominee — with a proven track record of protecting worker rights — did not have the votes,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said.
Short of multiple absences on the GOP side, Democrats needed either Manchin or Sinema to vote with them, along with a tie-breaking vote by Vice President Harris, to get McFerran across the finish line.
Including McFerran, the board sits at three Democrats and one Republican, with one GOP vacancy.
When Trump takes office next month, he will have the opportunity to nominate two members, giving Republicans a one-seat majority on the five-member board.
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Aaaawww! Democrats are sad now because elections have consequences. They act like a bunch of spoiled children when they don’t get their way.