Conservatives tout victory after stopping last-minute Schumer push to confirm key agency head: ‘Outstanding’

Republicans and conservatives on social media are celebrating a victory after Senate Democrats failed in a last-minute attempt to keep control of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) on Wednesday. The vote to re-appoint the board’s chair, Lauren McFerran, narrowly failed, with independent Sens. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema voting against it, resulting in a 50-49 outcome.

Outgoing Democrat Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had hoped to confirm McFerran, a President Biden pick, to a new five-year term that would have given Democrats control of the influential agency until at least 2026. However, conservatives had been vocal in their opposition, arguing that President-elect Trump should have the opportunity to choose the pick after his election victory in November.

Senator Josh Hawley, a Republican from Missouri, praised the outcome, stating, “Working Americans just delivered a massive victory for President Trump and his pro-worker policies. I’m glad we didn’t let Biden choose more NLRB nominees, and I look forward to supporting policies that are good for working families and all Americans.”

Tom Hebert, director of competition and regulatory policy for Americans for Tax Reform, criticized McFerran’s record, stating, “Chuck Schumer tried to put the Trump-Vance NLRB under Democrat control by sneaking McFerran’s renomination through the Senate. Fortunately, Republicans blocked Schumer’s scheme, ensuring the NLRB is controlled by pro-worker Republicans.”

Senator Bill Cassidy from Louisiana also celebrated the Senate’s rejection of the partisan attempt to deny President Trump the opportunity to choose his own NLRB nominees. Independent Women’s Voice senior policy analyst Carrie Sheffield commended Senate Republicans and Senators Sinema and Manchin for their role in the outcome.

One point of frustration for Republicans was the refusal by Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee Chair Bernie Sanders to hold a public hearing on McFerran before advancing her nomination. McFerran’s nomination had been waiting for consideration since August.

In response to the vote, Democrats pulled the cloture vote for Republican NLRB nominee Joshua Ditelberg, giving Trump the opportunity to fill two seats if no changes occur before inauguration day.

Overall, the failure to confirm McFerran has been seen as a win for Republicans and conservatives, who believe that President Trump should have the opportunity to appoint NLRB nominees. The outcome has sparked celebration on social media, with many praising the decision as a victory for working Americans and pro-worker policies.