Senators Protest Bush Recess Appointments

[stop the bleeding]

I hope that this is not a dupe.

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's decision to bypass the Senate in filling posts at the State Department, Federal Election Commission and National Labor Relations Board drew protests Thursday from lawmakers and advocacy groups.

Under the Constitution, the president may avoid the Senate confirmation process and make appointments while the chamber is in recess. Such appointments usually are short-term, expiring at the end of next congressional session.


<snip>


However, Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said the regular confirmation process should be used so the Senate can be assured that nominees are qualified.

Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., protested Hans von Spakovsky's appointment to the FEC. Kennedy said von Spakovsky, a Justice Department lawyer who was Republican Party chairman in Fulton County, Ga., worked toward requiring Georgia voters to have a photo identification _ a requirement critics said would harm black voters.

Read more here….
01/06/06 Senators Protest Bush Recess Appointments - DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press - washingtonpost.com

[William769]

1. Business as usual.

Please don't tell me your shocked at this.

[Trevelyan]

2. With bush's statement that he did not have to obey the law he signed

against torture instead of vetoing it so it could go back to Congress to be voted on, Bush essentially disbanded the Congress and the 17 recess appointments are a continuation of this plan to ignore Congress' attempts to check this dictator and destroyer of our Constitution.

The only way to check Bush's power is (1) for Congress to get off its ass and do something (they don't have to impeach him - just stop funding things and order the troops home under the War Powers Act) or (2) for lawsuits to be brought in actual cases or controversies in efforts to limit
the powers of the
presidency.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/5/22416/09406

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2006/1/4/984/22082~IMPEACH: www.theimpeachproject.com up and running

“Cafferty: Who cares if the Patriot Act get's renewed. Want to abuse our civil liberties-Just do it! Who cares about the Geneva conventions? Want to torture prisoners-Just do it! Who cares about rules concerning the identity of CIA gents. Want to reveal the name of a covert operative? Just do it!

Who cares about whether the intelligence concerning WMD's is accurate. You want to invade Iraq? Just do it. Who cares about qualifications to serve on the nation's highest court. Want to nominate a personal friend with no qualifications? Just do it.

And the latest outrage, which I read about in "The New York Times" this morning, who cares about needing a court order to eavesdrop on American citizens. Want to wiretap their phones conversations? Just do it.... What a joke. A very cruel, very sad joke."

Jack Cafferty on the administration: Just Do it!

PLEASE SIGN CONGRESSMAN CONYERS' LETTER TO BEGIN IMPEACHMENT INQUIRY IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RIGHT AWAY!!

http://www.johnconyers.com Conyer's Action Items

NOMINATE

[meganmonkey]

3. UP OR DOWN VOTE, MOTHERFUCKER!!!!!

:nuke:

(sorry about the all caps. just pisses me off so much :blush: )

[redqueen]

4. These crooks are completely shameless.

I don't know how anyone could still think they're anything but crooks and liars.

[satya]

5. Am I reading a different version of the constitution?

"The President shall have power to fill up all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session."

The way I read it, the positions must be VACATED during the recess before he can fill them then. Doesn't say anything about waiting until recess to fill already vacant positions...

:shrug:

[FrannyD]

6. Good Point

but the Constitution, if he read it, never stopped him before.

[stop the bleeding]

7. If he reads like he speaks then we are even more f@$ked than what we

thought we were.

[Free the Press]

13. um, could the ACLU challenge these presidential transgressions in court?

[satya]

15. Good question; there must be some legal remedy available to the people

assuming Congress doesn't step up to the plate. Maybe the DU legal minds will weigh in on this; that's not my area of expertise.

And welcome to DU!

:hi:

[sarcasmo]

8. Kick and Nom. It's easy to appoint your cronies when no one can stop you.

[texpatriot2004]

9. Thank you Senators. n.t

[wrate]

10. I am sure that * cares what anyone thinks of his recess appointments. n/t

[goforit]

11. And you friggin Senators think you have a voice???...NOT!!!!!!!!!!

[Catfight]

12. What did they do? Mumble very LOUD to show discourse! whatever.

[Dr Fate]

14. Perhaps they will write more "Fighting" letters too. n/t

n/t