Rebuking ‘Recess’ Appointments
Court deals another blow to Obama.
On Thursday morning, the U.S. Supreme Court yanked Barack Obama’s supposed authority to define a congressional “recess” in order to make political appointments. The case involved the National Labor Relations Board, which Obama filled with three “recess” appointments in January 2012, despite the fact the Senate had not declared itself in recess. The Court ruled unanimously that Congress, not the president, can determine when Congress is on recess. The Senate sessions were indeed pro forma and intended merely to frustrate the president’s plan, but Obama’s default is to do what he wants whenever and however he wants. The Court said that ain’t gonna fly.
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- Supreme Court
- executive
- NLRB