Senate Blocks Recess Appointments

The Democratic Congress has been on guard this holiday season blocking potential recess appointments. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, (D-NV), announced December 19th that “pro-forma” sessions would keep the Senate open through the middle of January.

Negotiations on appointments between Congress and the White House disintegrated after President Bush rebuffed the idea of withdrawing Steven Bradbury. Bush wants Bradbury to be permanent head of the Office of Legal Counsel at the Justice Department. The nominee helped craft pro-torture legal opinions.

Senators Edward Kennedy (MA), Byron Dorgan (ND), Jim Webb (VA), Jack Reed (RI), Mary Landrieu (LA), Ben Cardin (MD), and Chuch Schumer (NY) shared duties presiding over the short sessions.