While attention was diverted to the eleventh-hour efforts to craft and pass a deal avoiding a fiscal crisis and reopening the federal government, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) on Wednesday filed a motion to proceed with consideration of Richard Griffin, Jr., to be the General Counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.  Griffin was one of the three controversial recess appointees to the Board.  In July, Griffin’s nomination to the Board was withdrawn – along with fellow recess appointee Sharon Block – as part of the Senate deal to confirm a full slate of Board candidates.

Prior to his recess appointment to the Board, Griffin was a long-term attorney for the International Union of Operating Engineers (IUOE), acting as its general counsel toward the end of his tenure with the union. In addition, Griffin served on the board of directors for the AFL-CIO Lawyers Coordinating Committee for nearly two decades. Earlier in his career, Griffin worked as counsel to various Board members.

Lafe Solomon has been serving as the Acting GC since June 21, 2010.  The Senate will vote on the motion to proceed with final consideration of Griffin’s nomination on Monday, October 28 at 5:30 p.m., ET.