Skip to content

Could Trump force Congress to adjourn to allow for recess appointments?

President Donald Trump on Wednesday suggested he might take the extraordinary step of forcing an adjournment of Congress in order to make recess appointments.

The president called the use of pro forma sessions — gaveling the chambers in and out every three days to fulfill the constitutional requirement for convening — a “scam.” Effectively, the sessions block the ability of a president to make recess appointments to Senate-confirmed positions.

Chief Washington correspondent Niels Lesniewski breaks down the nuts and bolts of this untested move.

[ Also watch: Can Congress or the president institute a national quarantine? ]

Recent Stories

Capitol Lens | Pipes of peace

Former House members reflect on 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 attacks

‘Tired of politics’: By GOP convention’s end, even Trump had tapped out

‘He’s not going away’: GOP loyalists not ready for Trump to leave political stage

Roll Call on the Road: Day Two in Dallas

Taxpayers spent more than $500,000 on House sexual harassment payouts