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Senators Fly Solo, Foiling Bush Move

Seconds-long sessions continue, preventing recess appointments

By J. Kelman, Newser User

Posted Jan 1, 2008 2:05 PM CST

(Newser) – A contentious Justice Department nomination lies behind Harry Reid's plan to keep the Senate in session over the holidays, if only for seconds at a time. Dems offered to give the White House a pass on a slew of other recess appointments in exchange for putting controversial terrorism expert Steven Bradbury on the congressional hot seat, CNN reports, but the White House rejected the deal.

Democrats have broken up what would normally be the Christmas recess with blink-and-you'll-miss-'em sessions under the supervision of a single lawmaker, including Jack Reed's 12-second reign yesterday. That means Bradbury and other presidential nominees to whom the Democrats object will have to face Senate confirmation when Congress reconvenes in mid-January.

[Images (5)]

[Videos (1)]

President Bush, seated, signs the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 during a ceremony at the Energy Department in Washington, Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007. Standing from left are, Energy Secretary... (Associated Press)

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., left, and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D- Calif., look on during a news conference on Capitol Hill Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2007 in Washington. Congressional... (Associated Press)

Sen. Patrick Leahy Questions Steve Bradbury (

Snow falls as a TV crew takes footage in front of the Capitol... (Getty Images)

Congress Hosts Capitol Tree Lighting Ceremony (Getty Images)

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Sen. Patrick Leahy Questions Steve Bradbury (hypermarkalan (YouTube))

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Senators Fly Solo, Foiling Bush Move