DeLauro Opposes Republican Bill To Effectively Shut Down NLRB

Statement

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) released the following statement today after voting against a Republican bill effectively shutting down the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB.

"I am strongly opposed to this ill-conceived bill, which aims to effectively shut down the National Labor Relations Board and is yet another direct attack by the House Majority on worker's rights. The Majority is trying to use one court decision as a pretext to stop the Board from issuing any decisions, or taking any other actions on behalf of workers. This is a transparent attempt to effectively shut down the NLRB.

"This one court decision is squarely at odds with longstanding practice. Presidents of both parties have routinely made recess appointments during intra-session recesses and without regard to when the vacancy first arose. That includes four such NLRB recess appointments by President Reagan and four by the second President Bush.

"Were these eight appointments by Presidents Reagan and Bush also in violation of the Constitution? If so, then why is this one particular court decision considered the "right' one, despite the fact that all other courts and past practices disagree with it? The fact of the matter is the Majority simply wants to prevent the NLRB from functioning, so that workers who want to invoke their basic right to organize have no recourse.

"And furthermore, what recourse would employers have against actions by unions that violate labor laws? Without the NLRB we simply do not have a fair workplace that works for everyone.

"This is another in an endless series of Republican attacks on the foundations of the American middle class. It undermines worker protections and accelerates a race to the bottom. If we are going to rebuild a globally competitive economy that works for everyone we need to let the NLRB do its work."

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