> It's the only way they can try to run out the clock on Obama.
Two words: recess appointment. They've got a recess coming up later this year.
Two words: recess appointment. They've got a recess coming up later this year.
During the 110th Congress, the Democratic leadership of the Senate specifically blocked Republican President George W. Bush from making any recess appointments with the use of pro forma sessions.
In 2012 President Barack Obama attempted to make four appointments during a pro forma session, calling the practice of blocking recess appointments into question. However, on June 26, 2014 the Supreme Court of the United States determined that the President had improperly used his presidential power to make these appointments stating that while the Senate was in recess punctuated by pro forma sessions the period of time between the sessions was not long enough to invoke such power.
Which made them technically not in recess even though no business was done.
And the court ruled that was fine.
Just just put someone there to gavel in each day and they are technically in session.
Ironically the court itself ruled that is perfectly okay to do.
Senate is the ultimate politics slimebowl of tricks, they are master level.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Recess_appointment#Legitimacy_...
See also rules for allowing legislation to become law, or deny same, without explicit action. Pocket veto and default approval can both happen in this manner: