Democrats are planning to force the Senate to hold pro forma sessions, which would block President Donald Trump from making recess appointments when the chamber adjourns through Labor Day weekend, CNN reports.
A recess appointment allows the president to put in place nominees who must usually be confirmed by the Senate, the news network reports, and nominees installed at that time have terms that would run through the "next session" of the Senate — but pro forma sessions basically mean the Senate is never in recess.
Republicans can now only formally adjourn the session by passing an adjournment resolution which would set up a time when recess appointments were allowed. However, CNN notes Democrats could filibuster that resolution to stop any recess appointments that President Donald Trump might attempt.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said he would use "tools in our toolbox" to prevent Trump from firing Attorney General Jeff Sessions and making a recess appointment for his successor, according to The Hill.
"Let me state for the record now, before this scheme gains wings, Democrats will never go along with the recess appointment if that situation arises," Schumer said Tuesday, the website reports.
Democrats and Republican aides told CNN both parties have used the pro forma session procedure to block a president from the opposite party before. The procedure began during George W. Bush's presidency, when Democratic Sen. Harry Reid was majority leader.
It was used again during Barack Obama's presidency and he tried to challenge it in 2013 by making recess appointments despite the pro forma sessions, but the Supreme Court ruled against him.