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The Hill Has Recess, But It's No Fun

Seconds-long Senate sessions stave off controversial appointments

By Dustin Lushing,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 26, 2007 2:16 PM CST
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(Newser) – Democrats in Congress are keeping a watchful eye on President Bush and preventing him from making any appointments during the monthlong holiday recess. The strategy requires the Senate to be in session every couple of days—even if only for a few seconds. On Friday, the Politico reports, the Senate opened at 9:30am and packed it in 26 seconds later.

Harry Reid has scheduled the brief sessions, which keep Congress from being in formal recess, through mid-January. The majority leader assigned freshman Jim Webb, who lives in Northern Virginia, the task of banging the gavel. Now Bush will have to send controversial appointments like that of Hans von Spakovsky to the Federal Election Commission to a vote.

Members of the Democratic leadership, from second from left, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C. and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer of Md., look on as President Bush speaks prior to signing the Energy Independence...
Members of the Democratic leadership, from second from left, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., House Majority Whip James Clyburn of S.C. and House Majority...   (Associated Press)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. prepare to sit down on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, where the Speaker signed the Energy Independence and Security Act. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of Calif. and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. prepare to sit down on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2007, where the Speaker signed the Energy Independence...   (Associated Press)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev. gestures during a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Monday, Dec. 3, 2007. (AP Photos/Susan Walsh)   (Associated Press)
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Politics • US

 
Congress • Democrats • recess appointment • Harry Reid • James Webb • Federal Election Commission • Hans von Spakovsky • senator • George W. Bush

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