(The Center Square) – Making the play in the last hour wasn’t surprising, just a full disappointment, a North Carolina congresswoman says of the outgoing U.S. Senate leader.
U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., sought to confirm Lauren McFerran for a new term on the National Labor Relations Board. She’s been the chairman. Sens. Joe Manchin, I-W.Va., and Kyrsten Sinema, I-Ariz., joined all Republicans for a 50-49 rejection on Wednesday.
“President Trump was given a mandate by the American people, and that means that Big Labor knows the days of having the federal government do its bidding are numbered,” U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., said in a statement. “I’m not surprised, but I am disappointed that Leader Schumer would attempt to force a five-year appointment through as the door is quickly closing.
“Thankfully, his colleagues had enough commonsense to stop a move that dramatically undercuts the will of the voters, and I look forward to the Trump administration enacting a truly pro-worker agenda.”
Republicans will have a 53-47 majority in the Senate come January, ending Schumer’s time as leader. Foxx herself is also changing positions; she will be succeeded by Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Mich., as chairman of the Committee on Education & The Workforce in the U.S. House.
Past pattern is the National Labor Relations Board has three members of the president’s party, two from the other. Terms are staggered. Democrats have a 2-1 majority and President-elect Donald Trump will take office in position to immediately shift majority of the board.
McFerran’s term expires this week. Had she been confirmed, Democrats would have retained majority until at least 2026.
Workers’ rights to join unions and gain better working conditions are the primary focus of the labor board. In published reports, Glenn Spencer, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president of employment policy, said the board should focus on fairness rather than “tipping the scale in favor a select few in organized labor at the expense of workers and businesses alike.”
The chamber, longtime ally for small businesses, was opposed to McFerran’s retention.
Classification of workers are independent contractors unable to join unions was a point of contention by McFerran’s critics. Trump appointees are expected to reverse that decision among others.