NRA is opposing Traver to head ATF. I hadn’t realized this was a recess appointment:
The National Rifle Association of America strongly opposes President Obama’s nomination of Andrew Traver as director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE). Â Traver has been deeply aligned with gun control advocates and anti-gun activities. Â This makes him the wrong choice to lead an enforcement agency that has almost exclusive oversight and control over the firearms industry, its retailers and consumers. Â Further, an important nomination such as BATFE director should not be made as a “recess appointment,” in order to circumvent consent by the American people through their duly-elected U.S. Senators.
Meanwhile, the Brady Campaign are thrilled. Because this is a recess appointment, the Senate need not confirm Traver until the end of their next term. Keep in mind the Senate is still controlled by the Democrats, with Schumer playing an enhanced role. This guy is in and there’s nothing we can do about it until the end of next year.
UPDATE: The Senate is not yet adjourned for the year, so this is not yet a recess appointment, but Obama could make it one as soon as the Senate adjourns for the session. Whether he’s setting up to do this remains to be seen. My bet would be yes.
Are you sure that Traver has been given a recess appointment?
Congress isn’t in recess yet and everything I’m seeing is that Obama *nominated* Traver along with two diplomatic appointments.
Of course, there is nothing to stop Obama from making a recess appointment the moment that Congress recesses for the year.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2010/11/15/president-obama-announces-more-key-administration-posts
I think he’s setting up for a recess appointment as soon as Congress is adjourned.
The senate may not need to vote on him until the end of next term (assuming he’s recess-appointed) but does that mean they have to wait until then to vote?
They don’t have to wait, no.
I think this makes good political sense for Obama.
1) The Blue Dogs are largely gone. There is no need to appease their constituents any more.
2) Many democrats seem to think that they lost ground in 2010 because they were not liberal enough. Their base was not energized and excited.
Actions like this will get the Brady Campaign and their allies all hot and bothered and stir up the far left base. I expect more of the same on all fronts in the next two years.
Are we sure he can do a recess apppointment. Recess appointment only last until the new congress is convened. Thus, his term would in theory expire on Jan 3.