The U.S. Senate in a later afternoon vote Monday confirmed Lauren McFerran as the next member of the National Labor Relations Board. McFerran replaces Democrat Nancy Shiffer. McFerran’s confirmation ensures that the Board will stay solidly pro-union without a gap following Shiffer’s last day on Dec. 16.

The Senate voted 54-40 along party lines to confirm McFerran. McFerran will serve a five-year term which expires Dec. 16, 2019.

McFerran currently serves as chief labor counsel to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Her confirmation should take some of the pressure off the Board to conclude a number of controversial matters prior to Dec. 16 including its consideration of the alleged “quickie” election rules and the Northwestern student athlete unionization case.

Coverage of the vote can be found here.