Isakson: NLRB’s ‘invalid quorum’ decisions are ‘unconscionable’

Isakson’s comments came after a federal court ruled that two of the three board members’ appointments were unconstitutional. The NLRB is supposed to have five members, but the Senate has held up some of the president’s nominees.

{mosads}Isakson said he would co-sponsor a bill, the Preventing Greater Uncertainty in Labor-Management Relations Act, from Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) that would stop the NLRB from taking any action that requires a quorum until the Senate confirms enough nominees to the board to constitute a quorum, the Supreme Court has issued a decision on the constitutionality of President Obama’s January 2012 appointments or until the 113th Congress is adjourned.

“I am proud to join Sen. Alexander in co-sponsoring this legislation to stop this and to ensure that critically important labor decisions that affect American workers across the country are made through a fair and legal process,” Isakson said Thursday.

Isakson said the legislation is necessary because the board has ignored the court ruling and continued to operate even though it lacks the three constitutional members to have a quorum.

Last month, Rep. Phil Roe (R-Tenn.) introduced a House companion measure, H.R. 1120.

Republican Sens. Mike Johanns (Neb.), Mike Enzi (Wyo.), Pat Roberts (Kan.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), James Inhofe (Okla.), Tim Scott (S.C.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Tom Coburn (Okla.) and James Risch (Idaho) are also co-sponsoring Alexander’s bill.