WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - The US Supreme Court on Thursday delivered a blow to President Barack Obama by cutting back the power of the White House to temporarily fill senior government posts without Senate approval.

In a ruling that will constrain future presidents, the court held on a 9-0 vote that the three appointments Mr Obama made to the US National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in 2012 were unlawful.

The decision limits the ability of presidents to make so-called "recess appointments" without Senate approval.