[LonePalm]

Ah, I hate to break it to y'all but the 115^th Congress takes office at noon on 3 January 2017.

All the Senate has to do is wait until 1159 that morning to adjourn 'sine die' and 0bola will not have a chance to make a recess appointment.

Even if they adjourn sine die earlier than that, all recess appointments expire the moment a new Congress is sworn in. All appointments requiring Senate confirmation MUST be confirmed by the Senate before they become permanent. There is no backdoor process to a permanent position on the court.

"Ceterum censeo 0bama esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Lurking Libertarian]

Even if they adjourn sine die earlier than that, all recess appointments expire the moment a new Congress is sworn in.

No-- re-read Article II. A recess appointment lasts until the end of the next Congressional session (so, for about a year).

[Rome2000]

You seem to know what the hell you are talking about, rare quality these days.

Whats your take on Cruzs eligibility?