Joe Manchin and Sinema Block Biden’s NLRB Nominee, Sparking Democratic Backlash and Republican Cheers

Outgoing independent Senators Joe Manchin (I-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) sparked immediate backlash Wednesday after casting decisive votes to block President Joe Biden’s nominee to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Their opposition effectively prevents Democrats from securing control of the labor board through 2026, potentially handing power to Republicans if Donald Trump retakes the White House.

The reaction from Democrats and labor supporters was swift and fierce. Democratic strategist Chris Jackson expressed his frustration on social media: “Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema just delivered a crushing blow to the labor agenda.

Their votes effectively hand Donald Trump the keys to the board the moment he takes office again. This is a betrayal of working families — and a gift to corporate interests, which is par for the course for these two.”

Alex Guiden, an analyst at Media Matters, echoed the sentiment, writing on X: “Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema just voted against Biden’s #NLRB nominee, blocking Democrats from securing control of the labor board through 2026. Their betrayal hands Trump control of the NLRB at the expense of working people. They should be ashamed.”

Political commentator Jared Schablein connected the decision to broader Democratic struggles with working-class voters. “If you want to know why Democrats have lost ground with unions and lost the working class, look no further than Democrats like Manchin and Sinema,” he posted.

While Democrats criticized the move as a setback for labor rights, Republicans and conservative voices celebrated the outcome. Far-right activist Charlie Kirk praised Manchin and Sinema’s votes, posting on X: “Great news!! Senators Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema blocked Democrat activist Lauren McFerran’s re-nomination to the National Labor Relations Board.

Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate will now be able to confirm two nominees to the board, giving them a one-seat advantage.” Kirk added that the NLRB is “massively important as it settles disputes between big business and labor unions.”

Greg Price, Trump’s 2024 deputy rapid response director, reinforced the significance of the moment, posting: “Democrats would have controlled the NLRB if Manchin and Sinema had voted for Biden’s nominee. Now Donald Trump will appoint her replacement.”

Amid the political uproar, X user Jennifer Grady offered a mixed critique, saying: “Good. People need to feel it. Talking is not working.”

Manchin and Sinema’s votes mark yet another break with their former Democratic colleagues, solidifying their reputation as unpredictable swing voices in Washington. With the NLRB now in limbo, the fallout underscores how razor-thin margins in Congress can have outsized consequences for both labor and corporate interests.