This is why it’s great to have Al Franken as a Senator from Minnesota. During yesterday’s hearing for NLRB nominee Craig Becker, Franken used his time to pwn John McCain for holding Becker’s nomination without submitting to Becker a single question during the entire hold. It’s beautiful.
And here’s a rough transcript:
Franken: Thanks for coming to this unusual, unique hearing. I’m a member of 4 labor unions, don’t know how many others are. I appreciate how important this area of the law is.
Most people who are nominated to the NLRB have either represented workers, or management.
Becker: Yes, it’s a divided bar.
Franken: Enzi’s staffer represented management for his entire career. It’s not unusual for someone who’s represented labor to be nominated to the NLRB.
Becker: Correct
Franken: This whole thing about the SEIU, it’s happened before. If they represented a firm, they could recuse themselves if a former client appears before the board. Nothing unusual there. You answered some 200 questions, right?
Becker: Yes
Franken: How long did they have to answer the questions?
Becker: I don’t know, but there’s been a back and forth since the spring. Whoever had questions had months to submit them to you.
Franken: This is an unusual hearing. I’m new the Senate, but it’s unique. Only other board hearing was for a chair. This wasat the insistence of one member who held your nomination. Did that member submit any questions to you?
Becker: No.
Franken: Really. He, or she didn’t submit any questions over all those months. Huh. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Harkin: Are your dues paid, Senator Franken?
Franken: Uh, for three unions.
