Obama's Big Labor Nominee Fails in Senate Test Vote

Meredith Jessup | February 09, 2010 11:40 PM

The Senate voted today against Obama's proposed appointment of union attorney Craig Becker of Illinois to a seat on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The cloture vote was

52-33, including two Democrats--Sens. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas and Ben Nelson of Nebraska--who crossed party lines and opposed Becker's nomination.

Though the Senate put a stop to Becker's nomination today, it is still possibile Obama will make Becker a recess appointment and put off the final confirmation vote. Democrats were angry when President George W. Bush used this tactic during his time in office, including on John Bolton's appointment as U.S. Ambassador to the UN after Senate Democrats filibustered his nomination. Will they repeat the practice?