Bush May Seat Appointees Without Senate OK
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WASHINGTON — The Bush Administration, frustrated by Senate delays on its nominations, may give some of its 200 languishing nominees “recess appointments” that don’t require Senate action, White House officials said today.
Such a parliamentary end run around the Senate’s advice-and-consent powers would surely anger Democratic leaders and worsen already strained relations between President Bush and Congress.
“We’re not anxious to do this. This is only a last resort. But it is something we may be compelled to do,” an anonymous White House official said.
Senior White House aides are preparing recommendations for Bush on the procedures for making a possible batch of recess appointments during Congress’ year-end break, the sources said.
Someone granted such a “recess appointment” may serve, under the Constitution, until the end of the next session of Congress.
Nearly all Presidents have made recess appointments from time to time. And it is a favored tactic for giving political supporters short-term jobs like ambassadorships near the end of a presidential term.
However, the device has never been used in a wholesale fashion before.
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