Senate Republicans, including Sen. John Cornyn, are cautious about President-elect Donald Trump's proposal to utilize recess appointments to sidestep the Senate's role in confirmations and avoid opposition from Democrats regarding his selections.
Cornyn emphasized the importance of not bypassing the Senate's responsibilities, stating that discussions about recess appointments are premature at this time. Previously, during his Senate GOP leader campaign, Cornyn had shown openness to using recess appointments to overcome Democratic resistance to Trump's nominees.
Recess appointments are temporary appointments made while the Senate is not in session, enabling a president's nominees to skip confirmation hearings. In recent administrations, Senate leaders from both parties have employed procedural tactics to prevent the potential use of such appointments.
Sen. James Lankford, a newly elected member of Republican leadership, criticized the use of recess appointments as indicative of the Senate not fulfilling its duties, citing a previous ruling by the Supreme Court on the matter.
Lankford stressed the importance of the Senate being present and carrying out its tasks, suggesting that a recess should be longer than two weeks to signify that Congress is actively engaged in its responsibilities.
On the other hand, Sen. Rick Scott expressed support for the use of recess appointments, highlighting his clear stance on the issue. Scott referenced commitments made by Cornyn and Thune regarding recess appointments, indicating his approval of Trump's nomination of former Rep. Matt Gaetz.
Scott, who had advocated for recess appointments during his bid for GOP leader, acknowledged Thune's victory in the recent election and reiterated his confidence in Gaetz's capabilities to perform well in the position.
