No Republicans Whined When Bush Made 171 Recess Appointments

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2010/02/12/no-republicans-whined-when-bush-made-171-recess-appointments/

by Mike Hall, Feb 12, 2010

Earlier this week, Republicans proved the lesson we all learned in school, “the majority rules,” doesn’t apply to the U.S. Senate. With every single Republican vote and two from defecting Democrats (see below), Republicans sustained a filibuster against Craig Becker’s nomination to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

After the vote, President Obama cited the filibuster against Becker and Republican holds on more than 60 of his nominees and said he would consider using recess appointment strategy to break the stranglehold the Republican minority has put on the nominees.

When Congress is in recess, as it will be next week, a president may appoint someone to a post without congressional action. The recess appointment lasts through the current session of Congress.

If Obama follows through and appoints Becker or other blocked nominees, get ready for another dose of Republican hypocrisy as they undoubtedly will join with their corporate allies to whine about how the unfairness of recess appointments.

Of course they would be suffering from a convenient group memory loss. President George W. Bush not only made 171 recess appointments—Obama has not made any—Bush’s very first recess appointment was to the NLRB. On Aug. 31, 2001, he appointed Peter J. Hurtgen to be chairman of the NLRB.

That was just the start of his attempt to pack the board. He named seven other nominees to the NLRB via recess appointments. No one seems to recall any Republican hue and cry over those recess appointments.

FULL story at link.

[depakid]

1. Sadly, with few exceptions, most Democrats didn't either

[Better Believe It]

2. K & R