Manchin, Sinema Vote Against NLRB Chair, Paving Way for Trump's Labor Agenda

Dec 11, 2024, 06:57 PM

In a significant political maneuver, Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema, both nearing the end of their terms, voted against the reappointment of Lauren McFerran as chair of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), effectively blocking Democratic control of the board. The vote, which resulted in a 50-49 tally, means that President-elect Donald Trump will have the opportunity to appoint a majority of members to the NLRB when he takes office in January 2025. This decision has major implications for labor policy, potentially allowing the GOP to enact an anti-union agenda. The vote was closely watched, with Vice President Kamala Harris present to break a potential tie, although her vote was not needed due to Manchin and Sinema's opposition.