General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: This presidency can't be saved. It's all downhill from here. - By Jennifer Rubin [View all]BumRushDaShow
(165,108 posts)for a formal "recess" - BOTH chambers must agree to it. And since there has been some under-the-radar rancor regarding the fiscal year 2018 appropriations and threatened "shut downs" if Planned Parenthood isn't defunded (or other draconian things aren't done), then the odds for a "recess" are pretty slim unless they pass a CR that goes past the Christmas break (the traditional time for recess appointments). And given that the GOP controls everything, they are going to battle for all sorts of domestic cuts and military increases for the upcoming appropriations, and that is going to be fought against - essentially delaying.
Interesting discussion about the definition of a "recess" (10 or more days) and recess appointments after that 2014 SCOTUS ruling - https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/06/25/us/annotated-supreme-court-recess-decision.html
Other tidbits about recess - http://time.com/4855525/august-recess-senate-history/