DeLauro Opposes Republican Bill to Effectively Shut Down NLRB

WASHINGTON, DC—Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) releasedthe following statement today after voting against a Republican billeffectively shutting down the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB.

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

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

"Were these eight appointments by Presidents Reagan and Bushalso in violation of the Constitution? If so, then why is this one particularcourt decision considered the ‘right' one, despite the fact that all othercourts and past practices disagree with it? The fact of the matter is theMajority simply wants to prevent the NLRB from functioning, so that workers whowant to invoke their basic right to organize have no recourse.

"And furthermore, what recourse would employers have againstactions by unions that violate labor laws? Without the NLRB we simply donot have a fair workplace that works for everyone.

"This is another in an endless series of Republican attackson the foundations of the American middle class. It undermines workerprotections and accelerates a race to the bottom. If we are going to rebuild aglobally competitive economy that works for everyone we need to let the NLRB doits work."