Hours before their campaign recess, Senate leaders struck a historically dysfunctional deal to confirm 54 long-blocked Obama nominees. In exchange for not obstructing, Republicans demanded Senate scheduling of pro forma sessions every three days during recess. The faux meetings are meant to dissuade President Obama from using recess appointments during the six-week break.
The deal allowed other pending Obama nominees to remain in the Senate’s confirmation queue rather than be formally sent back to the White House to restart their appointment processes.
