Posted by: Luke_Luck
Posting time: 2.9 years ago on
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Archived on: 4/21/2018 10:00:00 AM
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[–] physicscat 0 points 19 points 19 points (+19|-0) ago
That's not the way it works. Each house makes its own rules and they decide when they are in session. Consider when the Constitution was written Congress convened once a year for a short time then they all went home. Traveling to D.C. took time.
Today recess appointments are not necessary because it's fairly easy to convene the Senate. However, in the 20th century presidents began using it when the opposition party blocked appointments.
Pro forma sessions exist to keep the executive branch in check. It also allows both parties, no matter who is in control to do so. This is not something you want to go away. Obama tried to get around it by declaring pro forma sessions not real. The Supreme Court unanimously struck him down. As they should have. Mr. I Was a Constitutional Professor knew what he was doing was unconstitutional but did it anyway and the Democrat controlled Senate didn't bat an eye while their power was being usurped. The Democrats at that time could not have cared less about separation of powers and checks and balances, a hallmark of our way of government. Party politics was more important. Everyone involved broke their oath to uphold the Constitution.
One more thing...in 2003, Democrats controlled the Senate and created the judicial filibuster to block Bush's court nominees. Ten years later when it worked against them, they removed that rule, the so-called nuclear option, to stop Republicans from blocking Obama's nominees. They literally created a rule when it suited them and got rid of it when it suited them. The Constitution says each house makes its own rules and every two years when a new Congress convenes they can change any rules they want depending on who is in charge.
[–] 11681448? 0 points 10 points 10 points (+10|-0) ago
Shutdown does not mean Congress is in recess. It means no bills get paid. So no recess means no recess appointments.
[–] I_hate_winter 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
It's the "government shut down" wording that is not quite accurate. It should be called "budget withholding". They are there but can't do anything without money.
[–] fusir 0 points 3 points 3 points (+3|-0) ago (edited ago)
Are they in recess? The executive branch is shutdown.
[–] Antiseed117 0 points 2 points 2 points (+2|-0) ago
This whole system is a mess.
[–] Bendeguz 0 points 1 point 1 point (+1|-0) ago
Schumer has been slow walking every single appointment for the president’s cabinet. The last recess was around thanksgiving iirc and they even made a new rule that wouldn’t allow President Trump to make recess appointments.