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Working Families Vote 2008

Dems Deny Bush Recess Appointments by Canceling Thanksgiving Break

Posted by Steve Benen, The Carpetbagger Report at 5:30 AM on November 17, 2007.


Steve Benen: Bush may have been poised to appoint controversial nominees to the FCC, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
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This post, written by Steve Benen, originally appeared on The Carpetbagger Report

Just yesterday, word leaked that Senate Democrats, unwilling to see what kind of mischief the president might consider during the congressional recess, might keep the chamber open with a series of pro forma sessions. In other words, there wouldn't actually be a recess -- lawmakers would go home, but Bush would be denied the opportunity to make recess appointments.

Apparently, this wasn't just a trial balloon -- Roll Call reports that Harry Reid pulled the trigger on the idea today.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has decided to keep the chamber in session over the Thanksgiving break to block President Bush from making any unsavory recess appointments while Senators are out of town.

In a statement inserted in the record Friday, the Majority Leader said he will hold the Senate in a series of pro forma or nonvoting sessions to prevent the controversial practice. In the statement, Reid argued that nominations need to get on track, and that Bush has not met the Democrats "halfway" in agreeing to Democratically backed nominees to "important commissions."

"While an election year looms, significant progress can still be made on nominations," Reid said. "I am committed to making that progress if the President will meet me halfway. But that progress can't be made if the President seeks controversial recess appointments and fails to make Democratic appointments to important commissions."

Good for Reid. He'd considered this move before, but was reluctant to go through with it. Today, he made the right call.

In the short term, this will almost certainly have an impact on Dr. James Holsinger, the president's controversial Surgeon General nominee, who resigned from the board of the Asbury Theological Seminary in Kentucky, apparently because he believes he's poised to take office. By all indications, the president planned to appoint him once senators went home for Thanksgiving. Now, he won't get the chance.

But it's not just Holsinger. Bush may have also been poised to appoint controversial nominees to the Federal Communications Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Aravosis has Reid's full statement.

What all of this means, of course, is that a local senator, probably from Virginia or Maryland, will keep the Senate technically in session by stopping by the Hill, banging the gavel a couple of times, and going home. It's a shame it's come to this, but it's also a shame Bush is president. Such is life.

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Tagged as: bush, recess appointments, holsinger, reid, democratic congress, thanksgiving

Steve Benen is a freelance writer/researcher and creator of The Carpetbagger Report. In addition, he is the lead editor of Salon.com's Blog Report, and has been a contributor to Talking Points Memo, Washington Monthly, Crooks & Liars, The American Prospect, and the Guardian.


Return to PEEK  » Post Tools: email EMAIL print PRINT 37 COMMENTS PERMALINK
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Post by Lindsay Beyerstein. July 8, 2008.		 Rep. Waxman Threatens to Hold Contempt Vote on AG Mukasey
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Post by Satyam Khanna. July 8, 2008.

Comments Turn comments off sitewide Give us feedback »
Comments closed.
The comments for this story have been closed. Thank you to everyone who participated. 		View:
OWNER, USA
[Report this comment]
Posted by: stevebonzai on Nov 17, 2007 6:01 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
BOUT TIME THEY DID WHAT WE ELECTED THEM TO DO. NOW FOLLOW THE LEADERSHIP OF DENNIS KUCINICH ON IMPEACHMENT. CINDY SHEEHAN WILL MAKE A FINE SENATOR.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE:sickofsleaze guts guts and more guts Posted by: ladybug1@carrollsweb.com
» RE: OWNER, USA Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
» RE: OWNER, USA Posted by: alternetrose
» RE: OWNER, USA Posted by: Quannah
» RE: OWNER, USA Posted by: blitzmesser
trekbike
[Report this comment]
Posted by: trekbike on Nov 17, 2007 6:29 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
This wouldn't need to done if we had a president who wasn't such a slimeball, his only interest is in appointing incompetent crony buddies to these important positions, this has to be done to protect Americans from more of this idiot's and his idiot appointments from THEIR mismanaged DEADLY, COSTLY wars, THEIR mismanaged DEADLY, COSTLY disaster response's, and every other DEADLY, COSTLY disaster, MASSIVE DEBT COMES TO MIND, this idiot and his incompetent buddies are responsible for!!! For Americans who truely care about and love this country 1-20-2009 cannot come soon enough!!!!!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: trekbike....sickofsleaze Unless Diebolt Posted by: ladybug1@carrollsweb.com
» Even the VERY best Dem Posted by: uluro
Thanksgiving Surprise
[Report this comment]
Posted by: wagadog on Nov 17, 2007 7:49 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Wouldn't it be rich if Bushco and Cheneysan came back from Turdkey day in Wyoming, Crawford, Kennebunkport (or wherever it is they get stuffed) --

To fully formed articles of impeachment.

A little pink memo on their desks...

"While You Were On Vacation..."

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Thanksgiving Surprise Posted by: lavonneann
» RE: Thanksgiving Surprise Posted by: ad132
» RE: Thanksgiving Surprise Posted by: Turiye
» RE: Thanksgiving Surprise Posted by: herronsmith
» RE: Thanksgiving Surprise Posted by: Schroeder
Clash of Civilization
[Report this comment]
Posted by: kencohen on Nov 17, 2007 7:53 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
The economy is in shambles, our stature and influence in the world is at its lowest point in my lifetime and fundamentalist ideology trumps competence, justice and the Constitution. Mr. Bush has started and continues to provoke an internal clash of our American culture. Our proudest capacities in science, economics, law and journalism have been trampled. How is Mr. Bush any different from the Taliban?
It is about time that he is contained and reduced to total irrelevance.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Don't count your chickens...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Astroboy on Nov 17, 2007 8:18 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
We've seen actions akin to this from our weak-kneed Congress before, so I'm not going to get all wet and goo-goo eyed over this until the chickens actually hatch.

The Useful Idiot always seems to be able to pull a card out of his ass to thwart it all, and Congress always seems to lack the prescience to be prepared for it.

It also seems as if the Dems in Congress put on these Dog & Pony Shows, knowing they'll lose in the end, only to create an opportunity to tell us that "at least we tried".

I hope I'm wrong, because I don't want to lose hope.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Don't count your chickens... Posted by: AMERICAN VETERAN
Peace on Earth-what a concept!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: ccluelessfl60 on Nov 17, 2007 9:09 AM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
At least this action gives me hope that the Democrats will not let everything slide to gain a political advantage. We elected them to do the will of the people and we do not want any more neocon nut cases running agencies. Bush has almost destroyed most agencies of our government with rubber stamped appointments .And wouldn't it be a great Christmas present for the World if Dick and George were sent packing before they can harm the world, more. Peace on earth to men of good will.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Peace on Earth-what a concept! Posted by: gr_pramenko
» RE: Peace on Earth-what a concept! Posted by: alternetrose
"Hey, found him!"
[Report this comment]
Posted by: eddie torres on Nov 17, 2007 12:34 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
10 points for the photo. Newsflash: Bush administration outsources hunt for Bin Laden to private albino turkey contractors...

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Good for Harry!
[Report this comment]
Posted by: sheena2u on Nov 17, 2007 5:12 PM   
Current rating: 4    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Its time Congress and our Congressional leaders realize that we will stand behind them when they do the things we elected them to do.

Harry Reid is a good man, I campaigned for him in Nevada. Good for Harry! Thanks, Harry, keep up the good work.

We need all the men and women of integrity and good courage we can possibly get. We all need to stand up to Bush's nauseatingly corrupt and illegal administrative trickery. Thank you Harry!

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Good for Harry! Posted by: Quannah
Could it be???
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Quannah on Nov 18, 2007 9:12 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Did the congressional Dems grow a collective pair? Sprout a backbone? Use their heads for some real thought as to how to beat them at their own game?

Why didn't they do this during the summer recess???

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

» RE: Could it be??? Posted by: Xynyx
The most frightening thought about Bush's recess appointments...
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Quannah on Nov 18, 2007 12:20 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What if this is all by design? It can't be a coincidence that he continually appoints cronies and incompetents to important positions. What if he is doing the most obvious? What if he is dismantling our governmental structure one incompetent piece at a time - RIGHT IN FRONT OF OUR EYES? Most of us, as citizens, would say, "No! He would never do that!"

What if his goal is to overthrow our government from the inside? Given all that he has done to ruin our government from the failed wars to the horrendous Supreme Court nominees to the cronies placed in cabinet positions when they have no business being there to his signing statements and executive orders and vetos...

The list goes on and on and on and on...

I think the evidence is overwhelming. This is all on purpose. So what are WE the PEOPLE going to do about it???

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

A little
[Report this comment]
Posted by: Jeanne on Nov 18, 2007 1:02 PM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
and hopefully not too late. This is the first tactical step the Dems have taken that might be effective in diverting bush's plans to circumvent congressional approval of his crony appointees. I've come to doubt, however, that any Dem tactic is what it seems on its face and that there isn't some built-in way that will allow them to buckle to pressure and bow to the bastards' wishes.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

Why bother?
[Report this comment]
Posted by: JoshuaLudd on Nov 19, 2007 7:21 AM   
Current rating: Not yet rated    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
Why do they bother? We all know they will do what they have done over and over again so far... give Bush everything he wants.

[« Reply to this comment] [Post a new comment »] [Rate this comment: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5]

remember 2000 & 2004 & 2006 fixed voting
[Report this comment]
Posted by: scoutkai on Nov 19, 2007 11:50 PM   
Current rating: 5    [1 = poor; 5 = excellent]
What the GOP are doing is the same thing they always do, get the Democrats fighting within instead of working together. We are not allowed to see the work of the Dems in congress unless you are able to stay up late in the night, or when say on Sat. or Sun when folks are at church or shopping. So no one sees the hearings or the actions that our Democrat party does for us.
What we should do is do what the Gop does..like the NEOCONS DID, they joined the party and took it over from within, & used the base with all the JESUS promises, causing the END OF THE WORLD IS AT HAND giving them war and disease and all the last book of Revalations so that their Cloud Guy can come and take them out of this horrid war mongering world, which their party are the terrorist in the first place.
We have had terrorists since the beginning of our country's existance. First killing off the Indians then stealing land from Mexico. We have been a very naughty country for policy
I think we should allow those who want to kill mothers & babies while they sleep in Iraq and soon Iran and other Middle Eastern countries should make sure that they send their own children.
I bet if we bring back the draft we would see the war end PDQ.
Bush will bring this America down to where the entire world hates us and by 09' when the Dems have had the presidency handed to them on a silver platter, they will be sitting back with no punishment for their crimes against the people or the Constitution..laughing at us for being so dumb to allow them to fool us so many times. NOT ME.. I was on to them when they stole the 2000 election and the idiot who was protected by all the gopers who ran with him to keep him from having to answer more than a question or 2.. Congress did not give him a blank check for Iraq it was to go look for Bin Laden not to go raid the musumes, steal all the valuables from the Iraqi temples. they raped and tortured the Iraqi women & girls and then shot them.
we allowed our Military leaders to take our children & turn them into murderers. So many will be legless & armless. Some with no brains that work right. So much PTSD it ain't even enough paper to keep track of.
But to hear the news ALL IS WELL & GETTING BETTER EVERY DAY...
I am 57 and did the Vietnam thing..this is VN all over again. Now we have a media that won't cover a 100,000 people marching before shock n awe... March 17-19 2003. they were there filming but nothing on the TUBE. GET USE TO IT.. they are not building fences to keep people out but to keep us in.
There is no place to hide .. except where ever USAMA BIN LADEN lays his head at night.
I don't believe in GOD..it is nuts to think a GOD would be one of war that kills his or her creation so I just don't believe it. It is male dominated and a job fixed tax free for life as long as you don't get caught suckling little boys .. or girls..
Ya'all should check out these christian ministers.. they are a bunch of horndogs ..
why are there so many ED ads on TV these days? and why are so many men needing it?

Yes expect to win the presidency.. so concentrate on your towns & local voting. pick your congresspersons. They lie so perhaps we should have them take a polygraph before we back them.????

sick n tired of being sick and tired

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