Staff Reports
Once again, the Democrats have found themselves on the wrong side of political reality. Senators Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin, who recently transitioned from the Democratic Party to independent status, have pulled a fast one on President Joe Biden by blocking a key nomination that was intended to secure Democratic control of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Their actions could be viewed as a final “goodbye” gift that underscores the chaotic failure of the Biden administration to maintain cohesion within its ranks.
The nomination of Lauren McFerran to a five-year term at the NLRB was poised to further entrench the Democrats’ agenda in a vital federal agency dedicated to bolstering unions. The Democrats had banked on McFerran’s confirmation, believing it would lay the groundwork for unchallenged union power during the incoming Trump administration. However, much to their chagrin, Sinema and Manchin sided almost unanimously with Republican senators to derail the nomination, voting against it in a narrow 49-50 outcome.
The results sent shockwaves through the Democratic leadership, particularly to the outgoing Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who couldn’t hide his ire over the defeat. Schumer labeled it a “direct attack on working people” which is curious coming from a party that often prioritizes union elites over the very individuals they claim to represent. After all, voters have made it abundantly clear that they are fed up with the Democrats’ labor-centric policies that sacrifice individual rights and economic liberties at the altar of union power.
What’s truly fascinating about this saga is the irony of Schumer’s lamentations. After spending years trying to squash dissent from within their ranks — including targeting Sinema and Manchin for not adhering to radical leftist directives — the Democrats are now reaping what they sowed. Sinema faced an uphill battle from party loyalists, who even resorted to harassing her in public bathrooms, while Manchin was also the target of vilification for his moderate stance. It seems that the left’s quest for ideological purity may have cost them two crucial votes right when they needed them most.
Thank you, Senator Manchin & Senator Sinema.
Kyrsten Sinema and Joe Manchin Leave Joe Biden One Last Parting Gift, and Democrats Are Livid https://t.co/z2UKFVXtnG
— The Countess In Cowboy Boots (@LooneyOldLady) December 11, 2024
The NLRB battle symbolizes a broader theme: Democrats overreaching in their ambitions while ignoring the pulse of the American electorate. Voters decisively rejected far-left ideas in recent elections, making clear that the American public is not on board with a political strategy that favors unions over working families. By denying McFerran a second term, Sinema and Manchin not only reminded their colleagues of the importance of bipartisanship but also provided a much-needed wake-up call about the limits of the Democrats’ agenda.
As Sinema and Manchin exit the political scene, they leave behind a mixed legacy. However, their resistance to the extreme elements of their party, particularly in defending the filibuster and opposing unchecked liberalism, reflects a greater commitment to the principles of moderation and balance that many Americans still cherish. While their future paths remain uncertain, it is undeniably evident that their decisive role in thwarting the NLRB nomination will be felt long after they have departed the Senate.
