Obama Uses Recess Appointment for Labor Official

Over the weekend, which kicked off Congress's Easter recess, President Obama appointed Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board, bypassing the Senate. This appointment happened immediately after all 41 Senate Republicans sent a letter to the president that asked specifically for Becker not to be appointed in this manner. (Indeed, Massachusetts senator Scott Brown asked to be seated early after his election in order, among other reasons, to be able to thwart Becker's appointment.)

Craig Becker is Card Check's best hope. He is a radical pro-labor union, anti-small business advocate. His appointment has long been worrisome because it is seen as a way for the president to administer its radical labor agenda through the National Labor Relations Board. It's only fitting, then, that Obama would use a recess appointment to place Becker, even after all Republicans signaled strong opposition and at least two Democrats joined their cause. 

Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell released the following statement:

The President's decision to override bipartisan Senate rejection of Craig Becker's nomination is yet another episode of choosing a partisan path despite bipartisan opposition. ... Additionally stunning is the Administration's decision to recess appoint two Democrat nominees to the NLRB and leave the Republican behind. This is a purely partisan move.

And the Workforce Fairness Institute said: 

With today’s recess appointment, President Obama has completely undone his own argument concerning job creation and traded away any credibility his administration might have on the economy. Craig Becker’s nomination to the National Labor Relations Board will only result in higher unemployment and more burdens on small businesses due to his willingness to enact administratively portions of the Employee ‘Forced’ Choice Act.  Let’s be frank about what Becker’s recess appointment really is; it’s a payoff to union bosses at the expense of America’s employers and employees.  Our nation’s job creators will not soon forget that the country’s chief executive turned his back on them in favor of rewarding political patrons advocating job-killing policies.