Reid to again block controversial Bush holiday recess appointments

[babylonsister]

THIS JUST IN: Reid to again block controversial Bush holiday recess appointments
by John Aravosis (DC) · 12/19/2007 06:28:00 PM ET · Link


Democratic Senate leader Harry Reid is on the Senate floor right now announcing that he will be keeping the Senate in a pro forma session throughout the Christmas and New Years holiday in order to block Bush from making recess appointments of controversial nominees that couldn't make their way through the appropriate Senate committees. Reid will, however, (I believe) be letting a large number of non-controversial Republican nominees be confirmed. This is good. It doesn't make up for being on the verge of passing a domestic spying bill and continuing to fund the war, but appointments are very important, and anything that can be done to stop Bush from thwarting the Senate's constitutional role in confirming presidential appointees is a good thing. (Reid's statement after the jump.)

Mr. President, I turn to the issue of nominations

I have been working with the White House over the past several days in an effort to reach an agreement that works for both sides.

We were unable to reach such an agreement before the Thanksgiving holiday.

That led to my calling the Senate into pro forma sessions to avoid the President’s very objectionable recess appointments.

My hope was that I could avoid that prospect for the coming holidays. I tried to work with the President.

But he indicated he would still use the recess to appoint nominees who are completely objectionable on our side of the aisle.

Our only solution to prevent this is to call pro forma sessions again.

Mr. President, I thought, I could be a grinch.

I could tell the President that I would not move any nominations given his demand to make controversial recess appointments.

That would mean over 40 other Republican nominees would not move forward today.

A smaller number of Democratic appointments – 8 – would also not move.

But I’m not going to do that tonight, Mr. President.

I am not going to meet intransigence with intransigence.

We will confirm those appointments this evening.

And, I will keep the Senate in pro forma session to block the President from doing an end run around the Senate and the Constitution with his controversial nominees.

I, for one, hope for better in the New Year.

http://www.americablog.com/2007/12/this-just-in-reid-to-again-block.html

[elizfeelinggreat]

1. all right

This is good news.

[sshan2525]

2. That doesn't get him off the hook....

He's been an utter spineless failure as majority leader. Shame.

[Lasher]

3. He'll need to do this all next year too.

And if Junior promises he won't make recess appointments, Reid's a fool if he believes him.

[rasputin1952]

4. This is good news....there is alot of damage bush could do

w/what time he has left, particularly w/recess appt's. A year is a an eternity in the political aspect, and some of these appt's could be a serious disaster, as they would never be confirmed.

[Benhurst]

5. It wouldn't surprise me if Bush issued a presidential finding that such

sessions don't count.

The Bush Crime Family has no respect for the Constitution (or what's left after a compliant Congress participated in its shredding) whatsoever.

[spotbird]

7. There is nothing to stop him,

it's a surprise Bush hasn't done that already.

[Didereaux]

12. They DO NOT want that one in the USSupCT...

That flies directly into the powers and definitions and is clearly spelled out. Only Thomas and Alito would rule in the WH's favor on that one. To lose such a damning case also would very possibly energy the Justices(Roberts and Kennedy) to a more disfavorable opinion of the present Executive Branch and thus encourage certain SPINELESS opposition forces to press more constitutional issues. No, I do not believe that Cheney & Co want this particular fight at any cost.

[bdamomma]

6. I wish they could just change the locks on the WH, to keep

this thuggish regime out! during this holiday break.

[Bitwit1234]

8. SO big deal..he gives in to every thing else.

[sinkingfeeling]

9. Good. They need to continue to do this with every recess until the scum is gone.

[babylonsister]

11. Hopefully Reid has realized that. Why should anyone trust this admin? nt

[porphyrian]

10. Good, that's his job. -n/t

[KoKo]

13. Well Harry Reid allowed a "Voice Vote" to confirm Julie Myers head of ICE

and she's a racist and nepotistic appointment. How many of the rest of them who were appointed by "voice vote" are as loathsome as she is? Did Harry give Bush everything but is throwing a bone to Dems who wanted Senate kept open to stop the recess appointments? If Reid already gave him everything he wanted...isn't this a hollow gesture? Doesn't Read know that we Dems are now onto his game? :shrug:

[Greyhound]

14. More shadow theater for the flock. Let laws through that last forever

but block appointments that will last a year...

[femrap]

15. The only way things will

get better, Harry, is when we impeach those evil sadists in the WH. They will never compromise...never admit wrong doing.

Impeach Now! Tis the season to impeach 4 TREASON....falalalalalalalalalalalalala!

[robinlynne]

16. why the hell not? Why is he passing 40 republican nominations? Hold them.

Leverage. USe your power Senator!!!!!!! be a grinch for goodness' sakes. You are dealing with the devil and you don't want to be a grinch?