President Trump suggested yesterday that he is considering adjourning Congress if they continue to stall on approving nominee for a number of positions he is trying to fill including some on the Federal Reserve. Trump suggested that he did not want to, but that it was within his power to do so.
No President has ever adjourned Congress, Truman did however call Congress to session once. The problem for Trump is that he would like to make recess appointments and Congress is not legally in recess now and is holding pro forma sessions to avoid having the President make those appointments.
Trump believes the Constitution gives him the power to adjourn the Congress but the document is clear on when that power can be used.
"He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States."
The House and Senate already have a date set for January 3, 2021 for their formal adjournment.
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