Posted on 01/02/2009 6:27:23 AM PST by Joiseydude
With a Democratic president soon taking office and a larger Democratic majority in the Senate, it's likely the use of pro forma sessions to prevent Executive Branch action will cease.
The Senate has been meeting in pro forma sessions every fourth day for the past couple years as part of a tug-of-war with President Bush.
"Pro forma" is Latin for "a formality," and in Senate parlance, "pro forma sessions" are a way the Senate can legally meet without really doing anything. No legislative business is allowed. They don't vote. They don't speechify. It's just gavel in, gavel out.
Abandoning pro forma sessions will mean the Senate can truly go away for a few days without deploying a sentry to preside for a few seconds.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I'd be happy if they practiced this year 'round...
I should try to be less cynical for the new year, but my big concern is that the GOP won’t do much to block any of Obama’s picks ~ EVEN WHEN THEY ARE IN SESSION.
You know, it just is not very courteous or polite to be blocking the executive branch’s aoointments. Besides, if we did that then they would do the exact same thing to us when we are in power again.
It’s just not the “civil” tone that we’d like to strike with the new administration. </sarc>
Oh goody, the Obama crooks, kooks and crackpots can’t stand up to a open hearing so we will have to slip them in through the back door.
Now what would the media say if Bush were doing this? Why is the media going broke anyway?
Our elected officials including the President are cowards. They are afraid to do the right thing.
Really. That was my thought exactly. Since nobody on either side of the aisle is going to do much to oppose The One anyway, let him have his recess appointments.
Might as well make it a 4-year recess, for all the good congress is going to do checking the excesses of The One.
Oh. Pardon me. Did I say “excesses”? How could I? He is, after all, The One.
Republicans better find their gonads immediately or they will be lost forever. They’ve been missing since Reagan left DC.
What’s been happening the past few years — Pro Forma sessions to prevent recess appointments by Bush — can truly be called a dictatorship of the Senate.
Tug-of-war? It was not a child's game they were playing. They were systematically, deliberately usurping the power and privilege of the Executive branch.
Exactly! Thank you
Let’s if I have this straight.
President Bush makes a recess appointment: Evil, abuse of power, thwarting the will of the Senate, etc.
The Zero makes a recess appointment: Statesmanship, wonderful, Senate agrees, etc.
GOD, GET ME OUT OF THIS ALTERNATE UNIVERSE! (or is this Hell?)
D'oh, what was I thinking???
Really? What a shock. Reid will kiss the executive branch hind end in more ways than one.
Exactly.
The Senate is known as the world's most-deliberative body. With the Obama administration taking office soon, it appears that the Senate will soon revert to the form that earned it that moniker.Fair and Balanced my ass!
incredulous joe wrote:Unfortunately, the Senate Republicans have to pick their battles carefully. Appointments will be a tough fight. First, the propaganda ministry (formerly known as "the media") will beat them to death as "obstructionists" who are "preventing" the administration from moving forward with the important business of fixing all the problems.
I should try to be less cynical for the new year, but my big concern is that the GOP won’t do much to block any of Obama’s picks ~ EVEN WHEN THEY ARE IN SESSION.
Second, the Dems can always declare a recess for 2 weeks out of every 8 to go back to their districts and "listen" to their constituents. This would give "The One" the opportunity to make recess appointments for any controversial appointees.
The world of Bizarro.
And the Republicans let them get away with it without a fight.
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