This is why it’s great to have Al Franken as a Senator from Minnesota. During yesterday’s hearing for NLRB nominee Craig Becker, Franken used his time to pwn John McCain for holding Becker’s nomination without submitting to Becker a single question during the entire hold.  It’s beautiful.  Watch it:

And here’s a rough transcript (below the fold):

FRANKEN!  Thanks for coming to this unusual, unique hearing.  I’m a member of 4 labor unions, don’t know how many others are.  I appreciate how important this area of the law is.

Most people who are nominated to the NLRB have either represented workers, or management.

Becker: Yes, it’s a divided bar.

Franken: Enzi’s staffer represented management for his entire career.  It’s not unusual for someone who’s represented labor to be nominated to the NLRB.

Becker: Correct

Franken: This whole thing about the SEIU, it’s happened before.  If they represented a firm, they could recuse themselves if a former client appears before the board.  Nothing unusual there.  You answered some 200 questions, right?

Becker: Yes

Franken: How long did they have to answer the questions?

Becker: I don’t know, but there’s been a back and forth since the spring.  Whoever had questions had months to submit them to you.

Franken: This is an unusual hearing.  I’m new the Senate, but it’s unique.  Only other board hearing was for a chair.  This wasat the insistence of one member who held your nomination.  Did that member submit any questions to you?

Becker: No.

Franken: Really.  He, or she didn’t submit any questions over all those months.  Huh.  Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Harkin: Are your dues paid, Senator Franken?

Franken: Uh, for three unions.