[michigander]

U.S. Code
TITLE 5
PART III
Subpart D
CHAPTER 55
SUBCHAPTER I

Sec. 5503. - Recess appointments

(a)

Payment for services may not be made from the Treasury of the United States to an individual appointed during a recess of the Senate to fill a vacancy in an existing office, if the vacancy existed while the Senate was in session and was by law required to be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, until the appointee has been confirmed by the Senate. This subsection does not apply -

(1)

if the vacancy arose within 30 days before the end of the session of the Senate;

(2)

if, at the end of the session, a nomination for the office, other than the nomination of an individual appointed during the preceding recess of the Senate, was pending before the Senate for its advice and consent; or

(3)

if a nomination for the office was rejected by the Senate within 30 days before the end of the session and an individual other than the one whose nomination was rejected thereafter receives a recess appointment.

(b)

A nomination to fill a vacancy referred to by paragraph (1), (2), or (3) of subsection (a) of this section shall be submitted to the Senate not later than 40 days after the beginning of the next session of the Senate

[Dog Gone]

I was not aware of that law. I'm not sure it's constitutional, but it's certainly been on the books for a long time.

According to that, Pickering will not get paid, at least until he's confirmed.

[VRWC_minion]

I think this exception could apply

if, at the end of the session, a nomination for the office, other than the nomination of an individual appointed during the preceding recess of the Senate, was pending before the Senate for its advice and consent; or