Manchin, Sinema Help Tank Pro-Union Biden Labor Board Nominee On Their Way Out The Door
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to cement the Biden-Harris administration’s labor agenda deep into President-elect Trump’s second term suffered a notable defeat Wednesday afternoon after two ex-Democratic…
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s attempt to cement the Biden-Harris administration’s labor agenda deep into President-elect Trump’s second term suffered a notable defeat Wednesday afternoon after two ex-Democratic senators helped tank a controversial labor nominee.
Independent Sens. Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona and Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who both recently left the Democratic Party and have opposed some left-wing legislation and nominees during the Biden administration, voted no on the renomination of Lauren McFerran to serve as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) chair during a procedural vote Wednesday afternoon.
Sinema and Manchin’s decision to vote with Republican senators to block McFarren’s renomination could be the duo’s last break from their former Democratic colleagues as they are both set to retire later this month following their decisions to not seek reelection.
“This is not a surprise to anyone,” Manchin told reporters following his vote against McFerran.
Manchin, alongside Sinema and independent Sen. Angus King of Maine, notably voted with Senate Republicans in April to overturn an NLRB regulation through the Congressional Review Act that was authored by McFerran and would have allowed labor unions to organize franchise businesses.
With Sinema and Manchin joining GOP senators to tank McFerran’s renomination, Trump will have the opportunity to appoint his own NLRB chair and prevent a Democratic majority on the labor board during his administration.
Republican Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy led Republicans’ opposition against McFerran from his perch as ranking member of the Senate HELP Committee.
“This NLRB seat should be filled by President Trump and the new incoming Senate. Not a historically unpopular president and a Senate Democrat Majority that has lost its mandate to govern,” Cassidy said in a statement following the failed vote. “I am glad the Senate rejected Democrats’ partisan attempt to deny President Trump the opportunity to choose his own nominees and enact a pro-America, pro-worker agenda with the mandate he has from the American people.”