Senator John Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson Signal Support For Recess Appointments

Senator John Thune, who won a Senate vote last week to become the next Senate Leader, has said that he is open to using recess appointments to confirm several controversial Trump appointees.

The Senate must confirm (or deny) all presidential appointments as part of their “advise and consent” role as outlined in the Constitution.

There is a clause in the Constitution, however, that states a president may approve his own appointments while the Senate is at recess.

In the early days of our nation, the government would often take long breaks away from Washington, especially during the summer months.

In order to grant President Trump the ability to use the recess appointment, the Senate only needs to adjourn, or close for further business, for 10 days.

The House also holds the power to block recess appointments by refusing to allow the Senate to adjourn, but House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has said that he also supports recess appointments.

Recess appointments are nothing new.

As president, Bill Clinton used the recess appointment 139 times. George W. Bush used it 171 times.