On the recordDecember 8, 2014
I speak in support of the nomination of Lauren McFerran to fill an approaching vacancy on the National Labor Relations Board. I was heartened by the recent cloture vote in support of the McFerran nomination and urge my colleagues in just a short while to vote in favor of her confirmation. Ms. McFerran is well known to most of us as a senior staffer on the HELP Committee, where she has long served as chief labor counsel and more recently as deputy staff director. She has been nominated to fill a vacancy that will result from the departure later this month of a current Board Member, Nancy Schiffer. I would like to take this opportunity to publicly thank Ms. Schiffer for her dedicated service to the National Labor Relations Board. She has been a highly respected Board Member and I wish her every success in her future endeavors. I also want to say a word about the previous nominee to the Board, Sharon Block, whose nomination was withdrawn at the insistence of Senate Republicans. Although I have no doubt that Ms. McFerran will serve with fairness and distinction, it is unfortunate that Sharon Block, a dedicated public servant, will not have the opportunity to serve further on the National Labor Relations Board. Ms. Block was an extraordinarily qualified nominee who was widely respected by both Democrats and Republicans alike. Ms. Block's nomination was withdrawn as a result of circumstances wholly beyond her control.…
