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Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) on why he feels President Obama's recess appointments may be unconstitutional.
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He's disappointments on this very -- few nights ago.
A lot Republican congress and Bill Johnson setting off a firestorm have to suggesting those appointments could be unconstitutional.
Utah Republican Mike -- -- one of those senators questioning the Justice Department and the matter.
On the senator joining us on the phone right now what response if any if -- gotten.
We haven't gotten any response yet out but we're still waiting part of we -- we demand believe we we have at the right to demand response here.
It is it breaks with ninety years of tradition and practice and precedent.
Doesn't it doesn't it doesn't break of that present -- -- presents do this kind of stuff all the time.
Well they didn't they do make big disappointment but not in this circumstance.
Where we've had a -- -- has not been insurance.
Or more than appreciate editing.
And if Justice Department to -- We -- -- in.
In in in service was not the argument that that there was essentially no 19 I guess they could you're right senate could phone somebody sees someone -- -- -- Crime but put it Harry Reid and and company weren't around.
Well it doesn't matter what we were in a pro forma session -- -- all especially at least every let's.
-- big distinction right I mean that's what they're gonna argue but I just sort of saying that we can argue the nuances of the -- but is this really going anywhere doesn't resonate with anyone because.
I guess -- here -- some Republican colleagues of -- as.
-- it was -- -- a Republican gets -- does the same thing.
Then I -- I get.
-- -- at I don't buy that argument not perspective this is.
Not the kind of scenario in which could have a split -- -- spoke problem -- what you described.
You know what we're talking about is that situation which is that it doesn't regarded -- -- being in recent.
Neither does the house the senate wasn't required to obtain the consent of the house.
-- -- mature for longer than -- gate there's would be required under article one section -- clause for the constitution.
So we don't regard ourselves to an been -- Nor are we recorded under the ninety year old precedent as being -- because we've got at least a pro forma session every reader sent.
And -- even taken on these nominations wasn't there's such opposition soon.
To them in the and the first that that did -- -- it might have been tabled altogether so one way or the other you the president and -- Pat -- is the Senate's prerogative just as it is not there and target despite whether or not it -- -- Barack you know you -- -- exactly but his prerogative is just like to President Bush has -- gonna was putting someone in the United Nations to represented.
He had business to get done so we went ahead and appointed John Bolton to the United Nations because -- news don't know -- -- of the senate.
This president Morales said look I don't going nowhere fast for the Republicans even though -- on the majority the fact of the matter is they could stymie any that I do.
And so.
That I'm gonna use this opportunity where there.
We do you we can quibble about incest and are not.
But I've got to get moving I've got to get -- Yeah what that that is the president's rationale but -- -- Wallis and I agree with but Charles Krauthammer -- the other day which is that if it is done a very difficult.
You get motivated but the president's doing here basically what he's saying it.
I can decide when the senate in -- in Illinois senate doesn't think it can recess even when that that's gone out of its way to make sure -- Mysterious have to be it'd be just phase in sort of a some dividends are -- -- and that's an impeachable offense.
Is this.
Well and look it any high crime or misdemeanor.
-- -- impeachable offense.
And whether or not some action is considered a high crime or misdemeanor.
IP is up in the first instance the -- represented but at the initial -- power.
At this point we're trying to gather evidence as to why the president thinks he has been supported -- -- several Republican including myself.
But the president.
President Patricia all letter asking him whether or not they were -- whether or not they've abandoned his ninety year precedent but it has worked well.
Think that no I don't have gotten a response from him yet then no response yet but we are anxiously awaiting what we demand -- -- -- This is -- law look this is potentially eight is very smallest little -- and essentially know what spike.
Be -- prerogative of okay -- presidential appointee.
We will watch closely sir thank you senator always good have you.
