Senate GOP Leader Thune Blocks Trump Recess Appointments with Pro Forma Sessions During August

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has devised a strategy to prevent President Donald Trump from making significant appointments during the Senate's August recess. This approach aligns with Democratic opposition efforts and has garnered mixed reactions. Under the U.S. Constitution, the president can make temporary "recess appointments" when the Senate is officially in recess, but Thune's plan aims to block this. By scheduling only brief, symbolic pro forma sessions—meetings where no substantial business is conducted—the Senate remains technically in session, thus hindering Trump's ability to make recess appointments. These sessions are set for specific dates in early August, including the 5th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 19th, 22nd, 26th, and 29th, with varied times, effectively preventing any long recess periods. This tactic has been approved through unanimous consent, and it effectively maintains Senate operations without allowing a substantive recess. Critics, including Trump and his allies, argue that the Senate should remain fully open until all nominations are confirmed, contending that Thune's schedule circumvents the Recess Appointments Clause, which requires at least 10 days ...