---
title: "NLRB Down to One Member | Quorum and Vacancy Update 2025"
description: "With Chair Marvin Kaplan's term expired, the NLRB is down to one sitting member, David Prouty. Discover how the lack of a quorum is stalling labor rulings, the status of President Trump’s nominees, and what Acting GC William Cowen's leadership means for employers."
url: "https://wimlaw.com/publications/newsletters/nlrb-trimmed"
date: "2026-06-19T08:33:08+00:00"
language: "en-US"
---

#  NLRB Down to One Sitting Member

Written on October 31, 2025.

*Tag(s):* [Unions](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=58:unions), [NLRB (National Labor Relations Board)](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=62:nlrb), [Administrative Procedure Act (APA)](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=156:apa), [October 2025 Newsletter](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=197:october-2025-newsletter), [Agency Quorum](https://wimlaw.com/index.php?option=com_tags&view=tag&id%5B0%5D=200:agency-quorum)

For just the second time in the National Labor Relations Board’s 90-year history, it is down to one sitting member after Board Chair Marvin Kaplan’s term expired recently. The Board currently only has a single Democratic NLRB member, David Prouty, appointed by President Biden, and four empty seats.

The NLRB has only issued six rulings since President Trump’s inauguration. The President has nominated persons to fill two open Republican Board seats, but they first must win confirmation in the Senate. There is also a long-standing NLRB tradition not to change precedent without the vote of at least three members. This means that even routine decisions are being held up. The Board is currently operating with an Acting General Counsel, William Cowen, a former Republican Board Member.

This article is part of our October 2025 Newsletter.

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