Senate meets briefly to block Bush appointment

[MaineDem]

WASHINGTON (AP) — The House was quiet as a mouse the day after Christmas. But across the Capitol, the Senate was operating in an unusually efficient manner in its ongoing power struggle with President Bush.

A nine-second session gaveled in and out by Sen. Jim Webb, D-Va., prevented Bush from appointing as an assistant attorney general a nominee roundly rejected by majority Democrats. Without the pro forma session, the Senate would be technically adjourned, allowing the president to install officials without Senate confirmation.

The business of blocking Bush's recess appointments was serious. It represents an institutional standoff between Congress and the president that could repeat itself during Congress' vacations for the remainder of Bush's presidency.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-12-26-quick-senate_N.htm?csp=34

I missed this yesterday. Good work, Senators.

[hayu_lol]

1. Bush has got to be hopping mad about this...

would be interesting to be a fly on the wall of the oval office to watch the fireworks.

He has rammed so many incompetents and rascals through during past adjournments.

Sometimes, you even win a few.

[gratuitous]

2. Much as I complain when they screw up

And there's no shortage of screw-ups that I complain about, this is one thing that the Senate has done absolutely right, and blunting that maniac's ability to fuck us over even worse is an unqualified right thing to do.