Union Card Check: Senate Confirmation

During the two weeks after Senator Brown (R-Mass.) won his landmark special election, the Obama administration and organized labor pressed for a cloture vote on Becker’s appointment. They were hoping to get all 58 Democrats, including caretaker Sen. Paul Kirk (D-Mass.) who was then in Brown’s seat, and two independents to vote for cloture to give them the required 60 votes. However, Brown insisted on being seated in time to vote against Becker. On February 9, 2010, after Brown was seated, the Senate rejected cloture on Becker’s nomination. Becker got only 52 votes when 60 were required. No Republicans voted yes and two Democrats, Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) voted no.