February 9th, the Senate failed to invoke cloture on the nomination of Craig Becker to serve on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB.) With 33 bipartisan votes to oppose moving his nomination forward, the Senate recognized that the views of Mr. Becker are far outside the mainstream and ill-suited for a member of the NLRB, an independent agency that carries out quasi-judicial deliberations.

The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and Your State Chamber appreciate the Senators who took into account the views of hundreds of manufacturers who wrote this week to register their objections to Becker's nomination. These companies recognize that the changes in labor law that Mr. Becker has advocated would limit the rights of employers and employees alike and promote adversarial workplace relations.

Excerpt:
Mr. Becker has asserted views that the NLRB should rewrite union election rules in favor of union organizers. Such policy decisions should only be determined by Congress. The NAM is particularly concerned that if confirmed, Mr. Becker would seek to advance aspects of the job-killing Employee Free Choice Act through actions of the NLRB.

Cloture Defeated 52-33

31 R's voted NO
10 R's absent:  Brownback, DeMint, Ensign, Graham, Gregg, Hatch,
Hutchison, Roberts, Thune and Vitter
2 D's voted NO - Lincoln and Nelson (NE)
5 D's absent:  Byrd, Inouye, Landrieu, Pryor and Sanders
52 D's voted YES

Please stay tuned as the President and Senate leadership may move to seat Becker with a recess appointment.