Dems & Rs years ago agreed on the pro forma thing. In fact, Dems used it to prevent Bush from making recess appointments. That's the thing about Dems. They are willing to break tradition and rules to get their way. I wish Rs would do that. It takes fire to fight fire, so quit being wimps! Don't forget how the Dems used a procedural rule on budgetary matters to justify breaking the rules to pass Obamacare. Also don't forget how the BHO Admin picks and chooses which laws they are going to enforce. This is a lawless bunch in there now!

First, let's look at WHY it was necessary to make the appointments in this manner. Congress passed a law 16 months ago establishing the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau with one administrator and funding independent of the Congress. In May 2011 44 Republican Senators sent President Obama a letter stating they would not approve any nominee until the structure of the CFPB was changed to run by committee (we know how well that works) and funding through the usual appropriations process. Funding for an agency that oversees the financial industry controlled by Congress, most of whom receive major money from that same industry. Defunded in six months or less. Congress is using an executive function to subvert the Constitution because they are to afraid to go on record against an independent watchdog agency.

Amazing. Where were all of you from 2001-2008???

Compromise is when 2 parties agree to meet in the middle - that is not what is happening here. When the President doesn't like the stand the opposition takes, he goes around it, ignoring the law and rationalizing his actions. Power corrupts and the worst thing us as citizens can do is stand by and do nothing.

President Obama is the Commander in Chief. The integrity of the other presidents since Washington, has never been questioned. Just look at it as an advanced Heisman Trophy winner.

Recess appointments are only for openings that occur while the Senate is in recess. Used in any other way they are illegal for any president. The president is not a ruler, king, etc. The office of president is only 1 of 3 equal branches of gov't. It cannot unilaterally take over the defined role specifically given to another branch. Our entire government is beyond its consitutionally defined limits.

Day: I'm a Democrat AND an average American. I certainly don't think Obama hates me. On the contrary. And also, Congress is NOT in session. Only for blocking purposes. Also, go back to school and learn how to spell.

Yes I agree. Americans are at the point where we should really evaluate what is realy happening to them and not at party they support. The pro forma session is being used for blocking purposes only. If any party is truly concerned about what is best for America, forgo your recess and get the work done. Frankly speaking, I don't know how any of them get a good night's sleep based on any of the so called work done in Congress. Are they really doing what their constituents want or what thet want. Umm.....

Congress is not in Recess they are in pro forma session! He is and has always been a lair! Obama and Democrats HATE the average American. They are the biggest group of raciests and class warfare lovers since George Wallace was Gov. Of Alabama! Republicans are not any better! Obama wants to be dictator of the US and democrat sheep could care less as long as they get their government handout each month.

Yes, the congress will not compromise and the business of government must continue.

Three pro-Obama votes. I guess the rest are watching Fox News!

Yep. Sometimes when you're dealing with petulant children, you just have to be the adult in the room.

I don't see that the Republicans have left the president any choice. The out and out refusal to give an inch or compromise on anything is what we've all come to expect from the highjacked GOP. No wonder the approval ratings are so abyssmal.

Yes. Obama has done it far less than his last two predecessors. The Senate was using their pro forma sessions not balking at the nominee, but at the whole bill which THEY had approved. Refusing to allow a vote on the nominee and using the process as a way to try to deconstruct a law was not the appropriate approach for the Senate. So Obama did what he had to do. Let those opposed to the bill act through legislation to try to make changes they seek.