washington supreme court justices hear dispute presidential power day u.s. election indicate monday might curb president authority staff top administration post case involve national labor relations board eight justices hear hour-long argument 2014 legal challenge bring arizona-based private ambulance company sw general inc president barack obama temporary appointment lafe solomon 2011 nlrb general counsel obama also nominate solomon fill position permanently move require u.s. senate approval company subsidiary envision healthcare hold inc challenge solomon appointment labor board find sw general commit unfair labor practice discontinue bonus payments long-term employees sw general win nlrb order would throw solomon participation solomon fill former general counsel ronald meisburg resign 2010. obama withdraw solomon nomination stall two years senate ultimately confirm richard griffin post 2013. sw general argue solomon continue fill position temporary act basis pending senate confirmation 2015 rule administration u.s. court appeal district columbia circuit say 1998 federal law bar officials serve act role await senate confirmation unless previously first assistant post administration contend others fill post temporarily also nominate include previously confirm senate another position supreme court 2014 limit presidential power another case involve nlrb rule three 2013 appointments obama make board congress recess invalid justice anthony kennedy question whether new constraints presidential appointment power would make much practical difference obama administration claim call system quite capable accommodate rule favor sw general justice ruth bad ginsburg say concern past government action take act officials challenge retroactively overblown administration say 100 appointments past 18 years would invalid approach seek company include several sensitive national security job justice elena kagan say recent history partisan bicker appointments would hear members congress object manner company outcome case could assume add importance next president face protract nomination battle opt appoint officials temporary basis rule due end june u.s. top court may curb presidential appointment power