Bush's Summer Hires (recess appointments) Targeted (by Reid)

[Newsjock]

Source: US News & World Report

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a little trick up his sleeve that could spell an end to President Bush's devilish recess appointments of controversial figures like former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton.

We hear that over the long August vacation, when those types of summer hires are made, Reid will call the Senate into session just long enough to force the prez to send his nominees who need confirmation to the chamber.

The talk is he will hold a quickie "pro forma" session every 10 days, tapping a local senator to run the hall. Senate workers and Republicans are miffed, but Reid is proving that he's the new sheriff in town.

Read more: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/washingtonwhispers/070520/bushs_summer_hires_targeted.htm?s_cid=rss:site1

[Canuckistanian]

1. I think it would be wise to scrutinize ALL his appointments

Since so many of them have lead to disaster, one way or another.

It's a shame that this hasn't been the standard until now.

[annabanana]

2. Good for Harry. . Maybe some DC area DUer's

will bring some summertime snacks and pats on the back for the Senate workers whose schedules are disrupted...

[UpInArms]

3. Way to go, Harry!

:yourock:

[Dr.Phool]

4. TPM has a take on it too.

WTG Harry.

http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/014234.php

(May 20, 2007 -- 08:05 PM EDT)

The White House's recess appointments in early April seemed strike an immediate chord among Senate Dems. They've become accustomed to a certain amount of offensive behavior from the president, but these appointments, especially Swiftboat Financier Sam Fox's, were just so brazen. Dems went from frustrated to insulted overnight.

Dems sent out work that they saw this as a slap in the face. One senior Democratic Senate aide told Roll Call, "The administration hasn't heard the last of this.... They managed to make a whole bunch of members mad and it doesn't bode well for future attempts to move nominations through the Senate."

But what, exactly, is the Senate Majority going to do about it? Apparently, Harry Reid's office has an idea. (via Memeorandum)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a little trick up his sleeve that could spell an end to President Bush's devilish recess appointments of controversial figures like former United Nations Ambassador John Bolton. We hear that over the long August vacation, when those types of summer hires are made, Reid will call the Senate into session just long enough to force the prez to send his nominees who need confirmation to the chamber. The talk is he will hold a quickie "pro forma" session every 10 days, tapping a local senator to run the hall.

(snip)

[Overseas]

10. Glad to hear Dubya's precious vacation may be interrupted ! EOM

[Kagemusha]

5. Someone explain to me why 1 every 10 days is enough.

Why can't Bush do a recess appointment before the first 24 or 48 hours are done?

[kirby]

6. Its not clear, but here is a 'FAQ'

http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RS21308.pdf

[Kagemusha]

7. I did a little research and it's clear 10 days is tradition, not law.

Bush can do this in any recess he wants so long as the Senate is not held open and in session, whether it's 3 days or 10 minutes, except by tradition it's 10 days. Do I think Bush cares? No.

[kirby]

8. Yes

Tradition is what I gathered too. When the CRS document talks about 'shorter' appointments being more 'controversial', I think why would that stop The Decider? It was interesting to see that Clinton use the recess appointment quite a bit too.

[Supersedeas]

9. ohhhh, somebody better order Lord Pissypants another box of Depends