A federal appeals court has ruled that some of President Obama's appointments made last year violate the U.S. Constitution.

A three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled unanimously the president's "recess" appointments were made while the Senate was technically still in session.

The president said the Senate was away on a 20-day holiday recess when he made the appointments.

The vacancies were on the National Labor Relations Board. Senate Republicans had spent months blocking them because they were biased toward unions.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Friday's ruling will "go a long way toward restoring the constitutional separation of powers."

The Obama administration is expected to appeal.