House Republicans’ Solution to Recess Appointments? No Recess

The freshman class of House Republicans has offered to sacrifice vacations to keep Congress perpetually in session for the next 18 months, which would prevent President Obama from appointing officials while Congress is not in session.

Republicans are particularly concerned that the president will appoint a director for the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, allowing that agency to begin writing rules. Republicans say that the agency’s powers should be reduced.

A group of 77 representatives sent a letter to House Speaker John Boehner last week requesting that “all appropriate measures be taken to prevent any and all recess appointments by preventing the Senate from officially recessing for the remainder of the 112th Congress.”

Congress takes frequent and extended breaks so members can fund-raise and spend time with voters. During those breaks, the president can appoint officials to positions that otherwise would require Senate confirmation. But Congress can deprive the president of that opportunity by leaving someone in Washington to mind the store.

“We stand ready to assist you in ensuring that there are always sufficient members to cover the necessary pro forma sessions,” the freshmen wrote.

Democrats would prefer that Republicans eliminate the possibility of recess appointments by allowing votes on the president’s nominees. Republicans have blocked or threatened to block a growing number of candidates for a wide range of reasons.

So far, President Obama has made a relative handful of recess appointments. A study by the Congressional Research Service found Mr. Obama has made 15 such appointments. President George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments during his eight years in office. President Clinton made 129, also during eight years in office.