Orrin Hatch: “I will oppose the nomination of William Gould as Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. I do so reluctantly…”

“I will oppose the nomination of William Gould as Chairman of the National Labor Relations Board. I do so reluctantly because I believe Professor Gould to be a fine man and a distinguished scholar. This nominee, however, has a troubling record. While this record includes 30 years' worth of what many would consider controversial writings, one really need not look back more than a year, to the release of a book by William Gould titled ``Agenda for Reform.'' The book is truly what its title suggests: It is an agenda for reforming labor relations and labor law in this country. Supporters of this nominee have argued that Professor Gould's advocacy of radical changes in this Nation's labor laws should not weight against him because this position will give him authority to apply and interpret, but not rewrite, the law. This argument, however, should not carry the day. Having reviewed Professor Gould's writings, I am persuaded, and in agreement with Senator Kassebaum, that such strongly held views must unavoidably inform and shape the decisions of one who serves in this quasi-judicial position.”