Skip to main content

Obama taps controversial nominee for labor board

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is once again nominating lawyer Sharon Block to serve on the National Labor Relations Board, a move that could anger congressional Republicans.

Obama used a recess appointment to name Block to the NLRB in 2012 after Senate Republicans spent months blocking her nomination. He also used executive authority to place two others on the board.

The Supreme Court ruled last month that the appointments were invalid. While Obama argued he was invoking his constitutional power to make temporary appointments when the Senate is in recess, the high court said lawmakers were not on a formal break when Obama acted.

The GOP agreed in 2013 to vote on permanent members to the NLRB but insisted Block not be among them.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Hail to the chief: Take our presidential trivia quiz

EDITOR'S NOTE: WTOP first brought you this quiz in 2019. Presidents Day is coming. How well do you know the less-important facts about the nation's leaders? Take WTOP's quiz — with any luck, it won't take you all Presidents Day to finish it.
Read Next Story