“The US Senate has the responsibility to approve or disapprove of my nominees,” Obama said in a written statement that also named the 15 individuals. “But if, in the interest of scoring political points, Republicans in the Senate refuse to exercise that responsibility, I must act in the interest of the American people and exercise my authority to fill these positions on an interim basis.”

“At a time of economic emergency, two top appointees to the Department of Treasury have been held up for nearly six months. I simply cannot allow partisan politics to stand in the way of the basic functioning of government,” he said.

Republicans and business groups quickly denounced Obama's appointment of Craig Becker to the National Labor Relations Board.

Earlier on March 25, all 41 Republican senators signed a letter urging President Obama not to appoint Becker, saying it would “bypass the advice and consent traditions of the Senate”.

Senate Republicans, along with two Democrats, effectively blocked Becker's nomination on February 9.

The president has the authority under Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution to make recess appointments.