WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) today voted to advance the nominations of Marvin Kaplan, a Kansas native, and William Emanuel to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). The two nominations were reported out of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).

“Today is an important day for returning the integrity to the NLRB,” said Roberts. “I’m especially proud to have this well-qualified Kansan serving on our board, but I’m also very proud to see these nominees returning balance to the board, which was lost under the previous administration. This board can finally reverse the burdensome regulations put in place by the Obama administration and give businesses and workers the freedom they need to create jobs and grow the economy.”

The NLRB was established in 1935 to govern relations between labor unions and employers in the private sector. The board has five members with five-year terms and a general counsel with a four-year term. Traditionally, the president appoints members on a 3-2 ratio, favoring the party of the administration. The two positions voted on today have been vacant for 23 and 11 months, respectively, when President Obama declined to nominate Republicans to fill the two vacant minority seats.

Roberts continued, “Under the Obama administration, the NLRB became increasingly partisan, engaging in rulemaking and overturning many precedents that had been upheld by boards of both parties, such as the union election process. With Senate approval of these nominees, the board can once again be complete and have the balance it needs to carry out its intended purpose.” 

Mr. Kaplan is originally from the Kansas-city area, and his parents reside in Stillwell. He currently serves as Chief Counsel for the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

The nominations now go to the Senate floor for consideration.

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

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