Sen. Kennedy Loses Bid to Remove Pryor

[Massacure]

Politics - U. S. Congress
AP
Sen. Kennedy Loses Bid to Remove Pryor

6 minutes ago

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ATLANTA - Sen. Edward Kennedy lost a legal challenge to President Bush (news - web sites)'s appointment of former Alabama Attorney General Bill Pryor to a federal appeals judgeship.



Pryor's appointment has been vigorously opposed by Democratic senators who have objected to his past comments and writings on abortion and homosexuality. After the Senate failed to confirm Pryor's appointment, Bush installed him on the 11th U.S. Circuit of Appeals on Feb. 20 as a "recess appointment," which does not require Senate confirmation.

In a challenge filed with the 11th Court, Kennedy argued that the appointment was unconstitutional because the Senate was merely adjourned, not on recess.

But the appeals court said Kennedy missed an April 28 deadline for filing his challenge. The court did not comment on the constitutionality of Pryor's appointment to the bench.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=512&ncid=1278&e=1&u=/ap/20040611/ap_on_go_co/kennedy_pryor

[chimpy the poopthrower]

1. I don't understand the theory behind recess appointments.

What's to stop a President from just making all appointments while Congress is in recess?

[FighttheFuture]

2. Well, they only last a year vs. being permanent...

It may also taint the person if the party in power cannot get enough votes the next year.

Bush was/is banking on getting enought votes (control) of the Senate after the 2004 elections to make these permanent. I hope, and suspect, he has miscalculated.

Nevertheless, he has given these nazi judges a nicer pension, and more authority, than they will ever deserve.

[Massacure]

3. So then

We either hold the senate stance (preferably get more dems though ;) )or win the presidential election to get rid of him?

[gottaB]

4. Senator Kennedy's letter on the the Pryor recess appointment

recess appointment

Senator Kennedy is a tiger.

[Tellurian]

5. And....why did Kennedy miss the deadline?

Missing deadlines is always part of the legal process and can sometimes overshadow the real issue, as it does in this case. So, in essence, this judge was appointed by default.

I'm not sure if Kennedy has any appeals left to remedy this situation.