Some Democrats Waver in Support of Employee Free Choice

Businesses, including foodservice distributors, continue to lobby vigorously against the bill citing the harm it would do to industry.

Indeed, the act, expected to be introduced next Tuesday, is seen as a power struggle among labor unions and businesses. It is also seen as a test of whether moderate Democrats and Republicans will push back on Democratic congressional leaders and the Obama administration, according to the Journal’s report.

At least six Senators who have voted to move forward with the so-called card-check proposal, including one Republican, now say they are opposed or not sure -- an indication that Senate Democratic leaders are short of the 60 votes they need for approval. One, Arkansas Sen. Blanche Lincoln, said the legislation is “divisive and distracting” at a time when the No. 1 priority should be job creation. Other senators who have backed off their initial support of the bill include Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.)

President Obama has vowed to help labor pass the EFCA, declaring, “"We need to level the playing field for workers and the unions that represent their interests because we cannot have a strong middle-class without a strong labor movement."

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