Catherwood LibraryILR School

Obama's most recent nominee to the National Labor Relations Board, former union attorney Craig Becker, was blocked in the Senate yesterday, garnering only 52 of the 60 votes needed to end a Republican filibuster and confirm the lawyer. Becker's nomination was strongly supported by big labor, but equally strongly opposed by big business, and his chances at confirmation were severely diminished by the arrival of new Republican Senator Scott Brown, and by the decision of two Democratic Senators to aid in blocking his nomination. Nebraskan Senator Ben Nelson said he felt that Becker would pursue a 'personal agenda' if given the position; Arkansas Senator Blanche Lincoln voted no without citing a reason. AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka called the block 'reprehensible' and said the AFL-CIO would support a recess appointment for Mr. Becker. Two other nominees are available for the post.