May 30, 2011
Republican lawmakers kept the Senate from fully adjourning over the Memorial Day holiday, thus blocking President Obama’s opportunity to use a recess appointment procedure to name Elizabeth Warren head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
GOP Senators scheduled three pro-forma sessions over the next 10 days, according to Reverse Mortgage Daily.
“These “pro forma” sessions, in which the chamber officially opens for the day and then gavels to a close right away, can be handled by two lawmakers and aides,” reports the site.
Even before Republicans erased the opportunity for a recess appointment, one unnamed Democrat told Politico it was unlikely to occur over Memorial Day.
“I don’t think [Republicans’] procedural tactics in this recess made any difference, other than showing how determined they are to obstruct the bureau,” the aide said during an interview.
A recess appointment during the summer is the more probable scenario, the aide told Politico, though it’s uncertain whether Obama will pick Warren.
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