In news from Washington, President Obama has sidestepped the Senate confirmation process and made fifteen recess appointments. The appointees include former AFL-CIO official Craig Becker, who was named to a seat on the National Labor Relations Board. Becker’s appointment comes one month after two Democratic senators, Ben Nelson and Blanche Lincoln, joined with Republicans to block his nomination. Under the Constitution, the President has the authority to fill vacancies without the consent of the Senate when Congress is not in session.