The U.S. Supreme Court put new restrictions on presidential powers Tuesday, ruling on a labor case spurred on by a Scottsdale-based private ambulance company.
In a 6 to 2 ruling, the court said a president’s authority is limited in temporarily appointing certain officials while awaiting confirmation.
The case dates back to 2010 when Lafe Solomon was tapped by President Barack Obama to serve as acting general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board.
The law said the appointed official can take over on a temporary basis, but the person cannot also be the nominee for the permanent position.
Scottsdale-based Southwest General Inc. sued, after the NLRB issued a ruling against it.
In its suit, the company said Solomon’s appointment was not appropriate and he lacked authority to rule as acting general counsel while awaiting Senate confirmation.
SW General argued that Solomon should not have continued to fill the position. The U.S. Supreme Court agreed. Chief Justice John Roberts issued the opinion.
