Here is the real reason McConnell is afraid of a Moore win-Blocking ProForma Recess

https://politics.stackexchange.com/questions/15831/u-s-senate-can-the-minority-party-maintain-a-pro-forma-session-and-refuse-to-r ^

[Vigilanteman]

So the real problem is that Moore might make the Senate majority actually govern like a majority?

[dangus]

Not sure you’re correct, but it’s an interesting theory.

[Wuli]

Let’s be clear? Moore will be opposed to a “pro-forma” recess and McConnell would allow it, or is it the other way around???

It would seem with a Moore win (which I expect) the Dim minority could not get a “pro-forma” recess. So McConnell wants Moore to lose, so the Dims could get a “pro-forma” recess and block Trump recess appointments??

[ZOOKER]

McConnell knows he has a bunch of squishy republicans in the Senate (maybe you call them RINOs, GOPe, Swampers, NeverTrumpers, Deep State, etc).

I think he fears they will gum up the works and Mitch will get burnt for having the (on paper) majority and still being unable to get anything passed.

Mitch is thinking maybe he's not up to the task. Much easier, and pays the same, to let the Dems lead instead. In the short run, it's less effort to give up without trying, isn't it?

That's how you squander an 8-year window for real change.

[bigbob]

I hear Jethro Tull’s “Locomotive Breath” when I think of Mitch “Yertle” McConnell trying to keep the US Senate Train on the tracks, while it’s inexorably careening out of control. Except it’s not “old Charlie” who is his nemesis:

In the shuffling madness
Of the locomotive breath,
Runs the all, time loser,
Headlong to his death
He feels the piston scraping
Steam breaking on his brow
Old Charlie stole the handle and
The train it won’t stop going
No way to slow down
He sees his children jumping off
At stations, one by one
His woman and his best friend
In bed and having fun
He’s crawling down the corridor
On his hands and knees
Old Charlie stole the handle and
The train it won’t stop going
No way to slow down
He hears the silence howling
Catches angels as they fall
And the all-time winner
Has got him by the balls

[NutsOnYew]

Pro Forma Session: From the Latin, meaning “as a matter of form,” a pro forma session is a brief meeting of the Senate, often only a few minutes in duration.

If I recall correctly, they appoint a Senator to show up, gavel open the session, say something for the record. and then close the session. My understanding is that Moore will object to this. Then they have to actually stay in session or they all go home.

[beergarden]

Pretty much. I’m confident to say that the GOPe approached him before he ran and when he said FU to the swamp creatures, that’s when they decided to destroy him. When you’re own party throws everything at you to quit, you know something big is up. It didnt work with Trump though but he’s the exception.

[Boogieman]

Yes, if Moore blocks the pro forma, then they have to actually go on recess if they want a vacation, and then Trump can make appointments. Or they can just stay there and never have a vacation.

[taildragger]

"My understanding is that Moore will object to this. Then they have to actually stay in session or they all go home."

As I understand it he will request a vote for recess so that they can't use pro-forma as a block against recess appointments the same trick that phuckir Harry Reid came up to stop GWB from using the Recess Appointments.

Think a huge slate of Judges getting appointed by PDJT when they are on Christmas Break, that is what in part the Moore Victory is about, he ungums the works, the swamp wants it murky so your feet are forever stuck in the mud.

[Be Careful]

The part that I had hoped to post was not well-curated...but the general gist is that one person can put a stick in everyone’s spokes.....Roy Moore would be that stick in the spokes.

[nobamanomore]

One of my favorites!

[William Tell]

"Think a huge slate of Judges getting appointed by PDJT when they are on Christmas Break ..."

Normally appointments for federal judge are for life. Aren't recess appointments only effective until the end of the next session of Congress? I don't see much value in such appointments; at least not for judges.

[mdmathis6]

We get them for three years and they can still be confirmed for permanent placement during that time. The judges can each hand down a few decisions and the Senate will have at least a true record as to how these judges will perform before permanent confirmation.

[lowbuck]

I seem to recall that if no one objects then a pro forma session can be done on a “voice vote”.

If one representative votes no, then to pass this measure you have to have a “recorded vote”.

Must scare the heck out of the RINOs and GOPe to be thinking about have to answer to the folks back home becasue they are on the record to block the President’s use of recess appointments.

[Political Junkie Too]

If Moore does do this and blocks a pro-forma recess, then Constitutionally, both chambers must agree to recess within three days of each other before a recess can actually occur.

This brings the House into the equation, and might result in fewer recesses overall.

-PJ

[David]

McConnell has already yielded on the Judges--we are confirming judges in record numbers. Grassley has eliminated the blue slip reservation and Judiciary is approving judges and is expected to continue.

The real issue is other appointments--Trump may have as many as several thousand non-judicial PAS (Presidential appointment Senate Confirmation) appointments on which the Senate is standing still to prevent him from implementing his agenda--those people all get in on recess appointments.

[DoodleDawg]

Under this circumstance, then even one person can object and prevent the adjournment.

That is completely wrong. Think about it, if a unanimous vote was needed to recess than the Senate would be in permanent session. McConnell can recess the Senate and Schumer can call for pro-forma sessions to keep Trump from making recess appointments.

[PapaBear3625]

Normally appointments for federal judge are for life. Aren't recess appointments only effective until the end of the next session of Congress? I don't see much value in such appointments; at least not for judges.

Mainly it would be good to clear away the backlog of executive appointments. Appointing a bunch of judges via recess appointment gives us the advantage of having a whole bunch of conservative judges issuing decisions over the next year.

[PapaBear3625]

If Moore does do this and blocks a pro-forma recess, then Constitutionally, both chambers must agree to recess within three days of each other before a recess can actually occur.

Article II, section 3, on the powers of the President: He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper;