lily
12-26-2007, 10:24 PM
Seems like this is becoming a universal holiday tradition. Put up "guards" so Bush can't recess whoever he wants. (http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/12/26/senate.pro.forma/index.html?iref=mpstoryview)
Webb opens, closes vacant Senate session
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate was called to order for 11 seconds on
Wednesday as the last political scuffle of the year between the White House
and the Democratic-led Congress played out.
Democratic senators will hold short "pro forma" sessions over the holiday
break to prevent recess appointments.
Nearly all the senators left the Capitol for the Christmas holiday last
week, but Democrats are keeping the Senate in session to block President
Bush from making any recess appointments -- a constitutional mechanism that
allows the president, during congressional recesses, to fill top government
posts for up to one year without Senate confirmation.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, opened and then immediately gaveled the Senate
session to a close. He spent 57 seconds in the chamber.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, announced December 19 that he
would keep the Senate open with a series of "pro forma" sessions through
mid-January.
Talks had just broken down with the White House on a deal that would have
allowed the president to make dozens of those appointments if he agreed not
to appoint one controversial official, Steven Bradbury, as the permanent
head of the influential Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department.
Bush declined to accept the Democrats' offer, and Reid refused to approve
Bradbury because of concerns about his involvement in crafting legal
opinions for the administration on interrogation techniques of terrorism
suspects.
Similar sessions were conducted over the Thanksgiving recess.
Webb also did the duty Friday, but he won't be the only senator tasked with
presiding over the shortened sessions. Other Democrats -- including Sens.
Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Jack Reed of
Rhode Island, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Chuck
Schumer of New York -- will share the duty.
Webb opens, closes vacant Senate session
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate was called to order for 11 seconds on
Wednesday as the last political scuffle of the year between the White House
and the Democratic-led Congress played out.
Democratic senators will hold short "pro forma" sessions over the holiday
break to prevent recess appointments.
Nearly all the senators left the Capitol for the Christmas holiday last
week, but Democrats are keeping the Senate in session to block President
Bush from making any recess appointments -- a constitutional mechanism that
allows the president, during congressional recesses, to fill top government
posts for up to one year without Senate confirmation.
Sen. Jim Webb, D-Virginia, opened and then immediately gaveled the Senate
session to a close. He spent 57 seconds in the chamber.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, announced December 19 that he
would keep the Senate open with a series of "pro forma" sessions through
mid-January.
Talks had just broken down with the White House on a deal that would have
allowed the president to make dozens of those appointments if he agreed not
to appoint one controversial official, Steven Bradbury, as the permanent
head of the influential Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department.
Bush declined to accept the Democrats' offer, and Reid refused to approve
Bradbury because of concerns about his involvement in crafting legal
opinions for the administration on interrogation techniques of terrorism
suspects.
Similar sessions were conducted over the Thanksgiving recess.
Webb also did the duty Friday, but he won't be the only senator tasked with
presiding over the shortened sessions. Other Democrats -- including Sens.
Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, Byron Dorgan of North Dakota, Jack Reed of
Rhode Island, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Chuck
Schumer of New York -- will share the duty.