While Al Franken made fun of the fact that despite holding his nomination, John McCain didn’t submit a single question to NLRB nominee Craig Becker, it appears as though Becker has been subjected to more questions than any other nominee to any post in recent memory, if not history.

According to a source knowledgable about Becker’s nomination, the nominee to the NLRB has answered at least 496 written questions submitted to him by Senators. This includes at least 300 questions around the time of last week’s committee hearing, plus an additional 150 questions submitted to Becker after the hearing.  (I’m trying to nail down the specific rounds of questions; I know 300 + 150 ≠ 496). For some perspective, that’s more than twice as many written questions answered by Sonia Sotomayor.

To be fair, Republican Senators didn’t get a chance to ask Becker questions during his hearing. After McCain called for a hearing for months, only two of the committee’s ten GOP members bothered to show up (Johnny Isakson in addition to McCain). So it makes sense why they submitted them in writing. (Check out the first round of questions – 105 pages worth – here.)

Another fun fact: Craig Becker has provided full financial disclosure to Senators on three separate occasions since his nomination. That’s three times more than is required of Supreme Court nominees.

With this level of scrutiny for a member of the National Labor Relations Board, you’d think that the post was more important than the Supreme Court. Ironically, the NLRB has  a limited ability to change the law, but does have the power to enforce it – something it cannot do well with only 2 members (thanks commenter laborite57).  The GOP (and filibuster buddy Ben Nelson) is intent on crippling this board and the working people who depend on it.

Becker’s cloture vote will take place in the Senate around 5pm. Since it will inevitably fail, look for a recess appointment at the next opportunity, if Obama has any balls left on him.