2020 Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro is putting it all out there, including his intentions to make recess appointments to the courts, if he is voted in as president.
Pretty bold statement considering that recess appointments usually infuriate the opposing political party.
Castro says that as president, he will “work with the entire Senate” to get all his judicial appointments confirmed, but if the Republican-led Senate pushes back, or blocks his appointments, that he will not “hesitate” to use the recess appointment process that’s available to presidents.
“As President, I will work with the entire Senate to get my appointments confirmed, but won’t hesitate to make a recess appointment to the Court if the Senate refuses to consider my nominee,” said Castro
Shortly after he took office, the Republican-led Senate blocked President Donald Trump from making a recess appointment.
According to The Hill, Senate Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) warned that Democrats had "tools in our toolbox" to block any Trump recess appointment.
"We're ready to use every single one of them, any time, day or night. It's so vital to the future of the republic," he said.
Historically, past presidents have freely used the recess appointment option, with Ronald Reagan having used it 232 times.
President Barack Obama used it only 32 times, but those appointments were made to permanent court positions.
President Obama made 32 recess appointments, all to full-time positions. During his presidency, President William J. Clinton made 139 recess appointments, 95 to full-time positions and 44 to part-time positions. President George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments, 99 to full-time positions and 72 to part-time positions.
Six of President Obama’s recess appointments were made during recesses between Congresses or between sessions of Congress (intersession recess appointments). The remaining 26 were made during recesses within sessions of Congress (intrasession recess appointments). - (source)
