House Republicans look to strike down ‘ambush elections’

Congress is expected to vote this week to reverse a controversial labor rule that speeds up union elections.

The House is scheduled to vote Thursday on legislation that would kill the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) rule, according to Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy’s office.

The Senate passed a similar measure earlier this month in a 53-46 vote.

Congress does not appear to have the two-thirds majority necessary to override a veto by President Obama, however, making it likely the rule will go into effect as scheduled on April 14.

Republican lawmakers are invoking the seldom-used Congressional Review Act in their attempt to kill the rule. That allowed them to move legislation by a majority vote in the Senate and deprived Democrats the chance to filibuster the measure.

“The House will give the president a second opportunity this year to put American jobs and opportunity above special interests,” McCarthy said in a statement. “Protecting against union tactics that ambush and bully small businesses and employees should not be a partisan issue. I hope the president seizes this opportunity instead of another veto of more American jobs.”

Top Republicans acknowledge their effort is unlikely to slay the rule, but they say the fight will draw attention to what they say is President Obama’s failed labor policy.

“When Congress fails to pass something, no one knows about it,” Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) told The Hill after the Senate voted to disapprove of the rule. “When the president vetoes something, the whole world knows about it.”

The House Education and Workforce Committee had been considering a disapproval resolution, but with time running out to block the rule, the leadership is bypassing the committee and moving the measure straight to the floor for a vote.