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Pro Forma Sessions

All articles tagged with #pro forma sessions

politics1 hour ago

GOP Senators Endure Viral Backlash Over Pro Forma Sessions

Senate Republicans are facing unexpected online backlash from MAGA circles for presiding over the chamber’s pro forma sessions during recess, a routine move intended to block unilateral recess appointments. Critics call the acts “traitorous” to Trump, though supporters note the sessions are a standard check and that the GOP has actually accelerated Trump-nominee confirmations this term thanks to a bloc-vote rule. Notable reactions targeted Sens. Jim Justice, John Boozman, Jim Banks and Ron Johnson, who defended the practice amid online trolling. The live blog also covers Florida primary news (Angie Nixon’s progressive upset over Vindman, and Cory Mills’ GOP primary loss to Ryan Elijah), concerns about union support for Max Miller, and Trump’s remarks about Mills and other primary outcomes.

politics2 hours ago

Senate Pro Forma Sessions Turn Into a Culture War Flashpoint

Conservative online circles have weaponized the Senate’s brief pro forma sessions — used to curb recess appointments during recesses — turning a long-standing check on executive power into a political cudgel against Republicans seen as not sufficiently loyal to Trump. The sessions are largely routine, and GOP lawmakers insist they are fulfilling a constitutional duty, even as they face online backlash; Trump has urged adjournment to enable recess appointments but never acted on it, and legal limits on recess appointments remain in place since a 2014 Supreme Court ruling. The piece highlights several senators who’ve presided (and faced backlash) during the current recess, while others avoid the rotation, underscoring how the online fury centers on clicks and optics more than policy change.