Press Releases

U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline (R-MN) and Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Chairman Phil Roe (R-TN) issued the following statements today after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled President Obama’s January 2012 National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) recess appointments unconstitutional:

“Today’s decision affirms our belief that the president’s unprecedented recess appointments violated the Constitution,” said Chairman Kline. “Time and again President Obama has chosen to govern through executive fiat, and today a federal court has taken action to help rein in this abuse of power. The Obama labor board must cease all activity until qualified nominees have been constitutionally appointed to the board. Any attempt to continue this battle in federal court will only prolong the uncertainty the president's unilateral action has created for America’s workers and job creators.”

“Today the court reminded the president he cannot simply ignore the Constitution,” said Rep. Roe. “This administration has a habit of bypassing Congress to push their agenda, and I hope this ruling will send a message to the president.”

NOTE: The House Education and the Workforce Committee held a hearing last year on the president’s unconstitutional recess appointments. Witnesses discussed the impact of the recess appointment scheme on workers and employers. To learn more about the hearing, click here. 

 

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