Senate Confirms Gwynne Wilcox and David Prouty to the NLRB

Senate confirms Gwynne Wilcox by a vote of 52-47

Senate confirms David Prouty by a vote of 53-46

Senator Murray: “It’s clear to me that we need David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox on the NLRB to reverse the damage done by years of anti-worker attacks, and to get us back on the right track, building back an economy that works for everyone—not just huge corporations and those on top.”

***WATCH SENATOR MURRAY’S OPENING REMARKS HERE***

(WASHINGTON, D.C.) – Today, the Senate voted to confirm Gwynne Wilcox by a vote of 52-47 and David Prouty by a vote of 53-46 to serve as Members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). In remarks on the Senate floor, Senator Patty Murray, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), reiterated her strong support for Ms. Wilcox’s and Mr. Prouty’s nominations, highlighting their long track records as champions for workers.

“Over the past four years, the National Labor Relations Board—which was founded to protect workers’ rights—has again and again tipped the scales in favor of large corporations,” said Senator Murray during floor remarks. “Now more than ever, we need to join with workers and defend their rights, and today, that means voting to confirm Gwynne Wilcox and David Prouty.”

In her remarks, Senator Murray noted that after years of unprecedented Republican obstruction of the NLRB nominees—which has tipped the scales of justice against workers and toward big corporations—workers need NLRB Board members committed to protecting their rights. Senator Murray highlighted that Ms. Wilcox and Mr. Prouty both have long records as champion for workers, and would help reverse years of anti-worker attacks and ensure that we build back an economy that works for everyone. Senator Murray also noted the historic nature of Ms. Wilcox’s confirmation, as the first Black woman to serve on the Board.

Senator Murray continued, “It’s clear to me that we need David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox on the NLRB to reverse the damage done by years of anti-worker attacks, and to get us back on the right track, building back an economy that works for everyone—not just huge corporations and those on top.”

Senator Murray’s remarks, as prepared for delivery, are below:

“Thank you M. President.

“Over the past four years, the National Labor Relations Board—which was founded to protect workers’ rights—has again and again tipped the scales in favor of large corporations.

“While Democratic nominees to the NLRB were blocked and anti-worker nominees were jammed through we saw decades of worker protections reversed.

“This has had a devastating impact on workers across the country—who are not only struggling through a pandemic but who have also seen their rights to strike, organize, and bargain collectively, undermined and constrained in ruling after ruling.

“But today, the Senate has the opportunity to begin healing this damage by confirming two exceptionally qualified individuals.

“That’s why I’m urging all my colleagues to join me in supporting David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox to serve on the NLRB.

“Mr. Prouty’s career is defined by his commitment to workers, with a long record representing textile workers, hotel workers, restaurant workers, baseball players, and now—as a lawyer for SEIU Local 32 BJ—property service workers.

“And Ms. Wilcox’s experience as a field attorney for the NLRB, as a lawyer representing workers before the Board, and defending health care workers and protecting their rights makes clear that she’s got the right qualifications and values for the job.

“Ms. Wilcox is not only a highly qualified nominee, she’s also an historic one.

“Ms. Wilcox would be the first Black woman to serve on the Board and her confirmation would bring us a step closer to ensuring our worker protections agencies represent the diverse workforce they serve.

“It’s clear to me that we need David Prouty and Gwynne Wilcox on the NLRB to reverse the damage done by years of anti-worker attacks, and to get us back on the right track, building back an economy that works for everyone—not just huge corporations and those on top.

“Now more than ever, we need to join with workers and defend their rights, and today, that means voting to confirm Gwynne Wilcox and David Prouty.

“Thank you, M. President and I yield the floor.”

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