Senator Harry Reid is holding the Senate in session over the Thanksgiving break to prevent President Bush from making recess appointments. Reid is upset because some of the people Democrats want are not being considered by the President.
“While an election year looms, significant progress can still be made on nominations,†Reid said. “I am committed to making that progress if the President will meet me halfway.
“But that progress can’t be made if the President seeks controversial recess appointments and fails to make Democratic appointments to important commissions.†Roll Call
Article II, Section 2 of the Constitution specifically states that it is the President’s job to nominate people for various positions and it is his alone. The approval is with the advice and consent of the Senate but the job of nominating belongs to the President so if he does not want the people the Democrats like it is his choice, not theirs.
Reid can keep the Senate in session if he wants but I certainly hope this means that they will be in DC and not home with their families. If he holds them in a pro forma session then he must have the minimum required to do the job. I realize he is saying that they will be non voting but in order to be in session they must be present, or at least the minimum required to conduct business. If they all go home the President should make the appointments he wants and let the courts sort it out.
Being in session means being present and if he is doing this then he needs to ensure his people do not leave town. If he is a real leader he will stay there with them because that is what a true leader does.
Having said that, Reid will probably be on the first plane out of town.
