Manchin, Sinema block Democratic control of NLRB

Source: The Hill

12/11/24 1:56 PM ET


The Senate on Wednesday blocked Lauren McFerran’s renomination to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), opening the door for Republican control of the board starting next year under President-elect Trump.

Senators voted 49 to 50 against a five-year term for McFerran, the NLRB’s chair, with Sens. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.) and Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.) voting with almost every Senate Republican to block it. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kan.) was the lone Republican who did not vote.

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.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5035142-senate-blocks-nlrb-re-nomination/