Senate stays in session to block Bush recess appointments

[William769]

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senators have left town for the Thanksgiving holiday, but the Senate will technically stay in session -- a move that keeps President Bush from making appointments while lawmakers are in recess.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, said he would schedule "pro forma" sessions during the two-week break, even though lawmakers will be absent and no business will be conducted.

The Constitution gives a president the power to fill vacancies without the Senate's confirmation when the legislative body is in recess. Such appointees can serve without confirmation through the rest of the current session of Congress, which ends in January 2009.

Bush has used the power before to install nominees whose confirmation Senate Democrats had blocked. The most notable instance came in August 2005 when he angered Democrats by naming John Bolton as U.N. ambassador.

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/19/senate.reid/index.html

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. Hallelujah or halitosis, or whatever fits.

FINALLY our senate leader leads with his brain.

Now, low long until the GOP reacts with some dirty trick?

[Alter Ego]

2. I look forward to much whining and complaining from the GOP

about the "dirty" and "obstructionist" Democrats.

[William769]

3. Me too!

I am actually looking forward to it.

[bunnies]

4. Love it.

Its about time.

[gateley]

5. I love hearing this -- thanks!! nt

[hisownpetard]

8. Me, too! They're finally using the rules to do something clever. Hooray!

[Stop Cornyn]

6. K & R - we're overdue for some decent news from the Senate

[riqster]

7. Good one! nt

[rhett o rick]

9. If you don't recognize this it's called "backbone". Stand up to the bastards Harry. nm

[Imagevision]

10. Harry Reid, very good! - now get your filibuster wand warmed up...

[Vincardog]

11. Harry Reid, very good! - now get your subpoena wand warmed up.

[kenfrequed]

12. Good

This is more like it.

A pity the Dem's can't articulate to the MSM why this is essential!

[yodermon]

13. uh oh. Cue the anthrax. n/t

[Vickers]

14. How sneaky and underhanded.

I'm referring to Idiot George's (over)use of recess appointments, of course.

:P

[Heywood J]

15. Thank God.

Surely some senators from Maryland, Virgina, Delaware, etc. can be called in to keep the place warm, ever other day or so on a rotating basis...

[riqster]

16. Jim Webb's on deck, IIRC