Manchin and Sinema Block Labor Board Nomination, Shifting Power to Trump Administration
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democrats faced a major setback Wednesday as independent Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema opposed the confirmation of Lauren McFarren to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Their decision prevents Democrats from securing a majority on the federal agency through 2026, handing President-elect Donald Trump the opportunity to shape the board’s direction.
The vote to advance McFarren’s nomination failed narrowly, 49-50. McFarren, the current NLRB chair, was a highly qualified nominee with a reputation for protecting workers’ rights. Her confirmation would have solidified a Democratic majority on the NLRB for the first two years of Trump’s term, a critical period for setting labor policies. Instead, Trump will now likely nominate her replacement, shifting the board’s agenda toward a more business-friendly stance.
The NLRB plays a pivotal role in labor disputes, union elections, and enforcing labor laws. Its partisan makeup has long been a flashpoint between business groups and labor advocates, with the majority setting the tone for how aggressively the agency enforces protections for workers.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed frustration, calling the failed nomination “a direct attack on working people.” Meanwhile, Republicans, including Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana, applauded the outcome, arguing that the seat should be filled by Trump and the new GOP-led Senate.
Manchin and Sinema, who have frequently opposed key Democratic initiatives, will leave Congress in January, marking the end of their controversial tenures. Their decision underscores their enduring influence in shaping the nation’s labor policies, even as they prepare to exit the political stage.
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