Political Quotes

“I rise in support of the confirmation of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board. It is policymakers--not outside organizations, it is not political strategists, it is not anti-union activists, and it is not pro-union advocates--who are making this decision. It is policymakers--100 Members of the Senate who are asked to confirm the nomination of Craig Becker to serve as a member of the National Labor Relations Board, NLRB. It is something we have done in this country since Franklin Roosevelt, in the 1930s, when the National Labor Relations Board was formed. Decade after decade, this body has voted for National Labor Relations Board nominees who are philosophically pro-union, philosophically anti-union or promanagement and not so promanagement. Yet, with Craig Becker, the Republicans have drawn a line in the sand--something that simply didn't used to happen around here. When I hear my colleagues say we can't rush this through, only in the Senate, when somebody is nominated by the President in April--how many months ago is that--8 or 9 months ago--would anybody say we are rushing it through by doing it in February. I guess it is 10 months ago. It doesn't make sense to me. Since its creation 75 years ago, the NLRB has served a critical and independent function: Protecting workers against unfair labor practices and protecting businesses against unfair allegations. They struck a balance because both sides have been represented.”