House GOP pushes bill to halt Labor Board action

[April 12, 2013]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Republicans are poised to approve a measure that would stop the National Labor Relations Board from conducting business until a dispute over the president's recess appointments to the agency is resolved.

The bill is a response to a federal appeals court decision in January, which ruled that President Barack Obama violated the Constitution by filling vacancies on the board without Senate confirmation.

The White House says the court's decision is flawed and is appealing to the Supreme Court. But Republicans claim the agency lacks any legitimacy to issue decisions.

The bill is expected to pass Friday but is not expected to gain traction in the Senate. Obama has threatened a veto.

Obama is seeking Senate confirmation of five nominees to the board -- three Democrats and two Republicans.

[Associated Press; By SAM HANANEL]

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