In the Washington Post, Ezra Klein points out that GOP obstruction of the confirmation process is making it more difficult for President Obama to fire his appointees because they can’t be easily replaced.

It’s worth noting the irony of this result. In the past, Republicans have argued against labor market regulations that would reduce firms’ flexibility to fire their workers, arguing that businesses won’t hire new employees if they aren’t free to reduce their workforce as needed. We’re now witnessing the same dynamic in reverse. Obama can’t fire underperforming appointees — the ones Republicans would seemingly most wish to see removed — because GOP obstructionism limits his inability to hire new ones. It’s a bizarre and counterproductive outcome.