Bob Dole: “I want to take a few moments to explain why I intend to vote against the nomination of William Gould to be the next…”

“I want to take a few moments to explain why I intend to vote against the nomination of William Gould to be the next Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. But before doing that, Mr. President, let me first say a word about the NLRB itself. The NLRB is the Federal Agency charged with enforcing and interpreting our Federal labor laws. In fulfilling this responsibility, the NLRB acts as a quasi-judicial body, deciding issues on a case-by-case basis. Although the majority of cases that come before the NLRB are straightforward and can be decided with a minimum of controversy, occasions do arise giving the NLRB the opportunity to break new ground and shape labor policy through precedent. This is where the important policy battles are fought. And that is why the composition of the NLRB is so critical to maintaining the careful balance between labor and management that has characterized our system of collective bargaining for nearly 60 years. In his writings, Professor Gould has unfortunately expressed many controversial views that could become the law of the land solely through the NLRB adjudication process, and without congressional action.”