The Senate agreed to prevent President Donald Trump from potentially making any recess appointments over the Senate’s August break.
Constitutionally, the President is able to make temporary appointments when the Senate is out of session to continue governing properly.
In this case, however, the Senate has agreed to setting up “pro-forma” meetings.
Per the Hill:
The Senate blocked President Trump from being able to make recess appointments on Thursday as lawmakers leave Washington for their summer break.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), doing wrap up for the entire Senate, locked in nine “pro-forma” sessions — brief meetings that normally last roughly a minute.The move, which requires the agreement of every senator, means the Senate will be in session every three business days throughout the August recess.The Senate left D.C. on Thursday evening with most lawmakers not expected to return to Washington until after Labor Day.
The Senate did a similar move last year to prevent then-President Barack Obama from filling a Supreme Court seat:
Trump isn’t the first president to face the procedural roadblock from Congress.The Senate has used the brief sessions to block recess appointments for decades, including last year to keep President Obama from being able to fill a vacant Supreme Court seat.But the current deal comes after Trump repeatedly lashed out at Attorney General Jeff Sessions, sparking speculation that he would fire the former senator and try to name his successor while Congress was out of town.Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned last month that Democrats had “tools in our toolbox” to block a recess appointment.“We’re ready to use every single one of them, any time, day or night. It’s so vital to the future of the republic,” he said.