In a dramatic showdown on Capitol Hill, Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona once again defied their former party, effectively blocking President Joe Biden’s nominee for the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Their decisive votes left Democrats fuming, accusing the outgoing senators of betraying working-class Americans and sinking efforts to secure Democratic influence in key government agencies.
Biden Nominee Rejected in Tight Vote
The vote to extend NLRB Chair Lauren McFerran’s tenure ended in a narrow defeat, 50-49. McFerran, originally appointed by President Barack Obama in 2014 and elevated to chair by Biden, was a key figure in advancing labor rights. Her confirmation would have secured a Democratic majority on the NLRB until 2026, but Manchin and Sinema’s opposition turned the tide.
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Independent Senator Bernie Sanders, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, did not mince words, calling the move “disgraceful.” Other Democratic leaders expressed similar outrage, with Senator Elizabeth Warren lamenting, “Millions of working people across the country will pay the price for their actions.”
Democrats Divided Over Outgoing Senators
The reaction from within the party was scathing, with many Democrats relieved to see both Manchin and Sinema stepping down at the end of their terms. A Democratic senator, speaking anonymously, said, “I think people are not sorry to see them go. For Sinema, it was always about her. With Manchin, people felt he had convictions, but his actions here were deeply disappointing.”
Sinema, who often clashed with party leadership, was absent earlier in the week but returned to cast the deciding vote against McFerran. Meanwhile, Manchin’s resistance was perceived as tied to his personal principles, particularly regarding legislative battles over economic measures like the American Rescue Plan.
A Partisan Divide on Labor Policy
Democrats argued that McFerran’s confirmation was vital for maintaining a pro-labor agenda, especially at a time when workers’ rights are a prominent issue. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith stated, “There’s a tradition of maintaining balance on the NLRB, and it’s disappointing that we couldn’t secure that.”
However, Republicans saw things differently. Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, the ranking member of the HELP Committee, led the opposition, asserting, “This NLRB should be shaped by the incoming administration, not by a lame-duck Senate majority that has lost its mandate to govern.”
Cassidy added, “I’m glad the Senate rejected this partisan attempt to deny President Trump the opportunity to select his nominees and advance a pro-America, pro-worker agenda.”
A Parting Shot?
Some Democrats viewed the votes by Manchin and Sinema as “parting shots” from senators who no longer face the pressures of reelection. While Sinema will be replaced by Democratic Senator-elect Ruben Gallego, Manchin’s successor, Republican Senator-elect Jim Justice, signals a significant political shift in West Virginia.
One Democratic senator speculated that Sinema’s decision was driven by “pure selfishness”, while Manchin’s resistance was attributed to his deeply held beliefs, even if those beliefs frustrated his party.
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The Road Ahead for Labor Policy
The failure to confirm McFerran leaves Democrats without a secure majority on the NLRB, raising questions about the future of labor rights under a divided government. With the incoming administration poised to reshape federal policy, the balance of power in key agencies like the NLRB remains a contentious issue.
The fallout from this vote underscores the deep divisions within the Democratic Party, as well as the challenges of governing with razor-thin margins in Congress.
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