NLRB Dodges Massive Budget Cuts, But Some Predict Changes Still on the Horizon

A recent Republican attempt to cut the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) budget failed, but some are speculating that similar future appropriations efforts may prevail and, at a minimum, the recent board appointments by President Trump likely will result in changes at the agency. The appropriations bill at issue was introduced by Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.), and it sought to slash the NLRB’s discretionary spending budget by nearly half. In support of his proposal, Grothman cited the fact that the NLRB’s caseload has seen significant decline in recent years, down 60 percent overall since 1990. Based on a recent article published by Bloomberg, some are predicting similar budget cuts for the agency may be proposed and passed down the road – either by the House of Representatives and/or the Senate. While the NLRB dodged that bullet, changes may be coming to the agency light of two recent appointments by President Trump that give the agency its first pro-employer majority in nearly a decade. A flurry of activity is anticipated before Chairman Philip Miscimarra’s impending departure in December.

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