“The ruling by the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia encourages politically motivated behavior by board members with a partisan agenda. A board member has the right to voice disapproval of a rule by voting ‘no,’ but a single member should not be allowed to derail the entire process by refusing to vote at all. The Board had a quorum, and they acted appropriately to protect the rights of working Americans. I hope the board takes steps to ensure the rule is preserved.
“It is encouraging that the court took no issue with the merits of the rule, which was recently upheld by a bipartisan Senate vote. I am confident these merits will be reaffirmed in future court actions.”

“Senate Democrats stood up for the right of working men and women to organize and negotiate their terms of employment through an enforceable contract. This rule gives workers the same rights that CEOs already enjoy – nothing more and nothing less.

“Republicans continue to push measures that squeeze the middle class while protecting the wealthiest Americans. Had Republicans succeeded in their effort today, executives could have continued using lawsuits and intimidation to thwart their employees’ ability to bargain. Democrats will continue to fight for American workers. I hope that my Republican colleagues finally start putting the middle class ahead of the interests of millionaires.”

“Today’s proposed rule change is about fairness. It would help give workers the same ability to bargain for wages and benefits now enjoyed by CEOs – whose pay has skyrocketed while their employees continue to struggle. Despite my Republican friends’ track record of standing up for wealthy CEOs who ship jobs overseas, I hope they will join me in supporting a ruling that takes the side of the middle class.”