The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on Friday ruled that recess appointments made by President Obama to the National Labor Relations Board were unconstitutional.

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The court found that the Senate was not actually in recess when Obama appointed three members to the board.

"[T]he President made his three appointments to the Board on January 4, 2012, after Congress began a new session on January 3 and while that new session continued," the court wrote in its decision. "Considering the text, history, and structure of the Constitution, these appointments were invalid from their inception."

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A White House official did not immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

It's unclear what effect the ruling might have on another appointment Obama made at the same time - that of Richard Cordray to lead the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

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