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Under the Constitution (Article II, Section 2, Clause 2), the President and the Senate share the power to make appointments to high-level policy-making positions in federal departments, agencies, boards, and commissions. Generally, the President nominates individuals to these positions, and the Senate must confirm them before he can appoint them to office. The Constitution also provides an exception to this process. When the Senate is in recess, the President may make a temporary appointment, called a recess appointment, to any such position without Senate approval (Article II, Section 2, Clause 3). This report supplies brief answers to some frequently asked questions regarding recess appointments. It will be updated as events warrant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congress is currently considering proposals, H.R. 5005 and S. 2452, to create an executive department that will address the national need for homeland security. The proposals would transfer organizational units, functions, and personnel from several departments and agencies. A hierarchy of positions would be established to manage the department and its activities. Some would be newly created, and some would be drawn from those transferring agencies. This report analyzes the proposals in light of the provisions for appointment of that managerial hierarchy. It identifies the positions to be created and the apparent effect on current positions in the transferring agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A table is presented that shows individual recess appointments made by U.S. President Barack Obama from January 20, 2009 to June 3, 2013 including Jeffrey A. Goldstein as Under Secretary for Domestic Financce, Michael F. Mundaca as Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, and Eric L. Hirschhorn as Under Secretary for Export Administration.

The article discusses the financial resources allocated to the Presidential Transition Act managed by the General Services Administration. The authorized 8.95 million U.S. dollars funding is for the provision of services and facilities required by the President and Vice-President elect, and the outgoing executives as well. However, if the incoming national leaders are the incumbent, the allocation are to be returned to the U.S. Department of Treasury.

The article provides an overview of "Comprehensive Plan for Reorganizing the Executive Branch," and "Comprehensive Plan for Reforming the Federal Government and Reducing the Federal Civilian Workforce," issued by the U.S. President Donald J. Trump. It mentions about improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability of government agencies.

The article offers information on the legalities of political appointments according to the U.S. Constitution. It is stated that the Senate and the U.S. president share power in appointing various positions in the government, and notes the power granted to the president in appointing temporary appointees in the event the Senate is in recess. Moreover, the recess appointments by U.S. President Barack Obama is also discussed.

The article presents the hearings conducted for the nomination and confirmations of several directors of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) from 1973-2017. Among the nominated and confirmed directors are Louis Patrick Gray III, Clarence M. Kelley, and William H. Webster. The hearing on the ten-year term for FBI director is also mentioned.

The article offers information on the duration of the appointment process during the presidential transitions in the U.S. Topics discussed include the changes recommended in 2004 to accelerate the process, the amendment of the Presidential Transition Act in 2010 and 2016, and the impact of the statutory changes in 2004 on the length of the transition period.

The article focuses on the presidential recess appointment which is the second form of limited-term appointment without the confirmation of the U.S. Senate. Topics include the power of the president to make appointments during the Senate Recess under the U.S. Constitution, the presidents who use their recess appointment authority like George H. W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Ronald Reagan, and the scheduling practice of the U.S. Senate and House to prohibit the president to make appointments.

The article provides information on the appointees under the U.S. Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 focusing on the limited statutory authority provided by the U.S. Congress for temporary presidential appointments during a presidential transition. It discusses topics including the provision of the Vacancies Act for the President, and the ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit on the Vacancies Act.

The article offers information on the selection and vetting of candidates during the transition of president in the U.S. Topics discussed include Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 or Intelligence Reform Act provision which guide the selection process, amendments to the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 (PTA), and requirement to the General Services Administration (GSA).

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue on topics including stages of appointing presidents for U.S. federal agencies, designations and appointments under the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998, and subcabinet positions.

The article explains the statutory authority provided by Congress for the President to temporarily appoint officers in vacant advice and consent positions (PAS positions) through recess appointments. Topics covered include three ways through which the President can fill executive positions under the Vacancies Act such as requiring Senate confirmation for an officer. Also mentioned are the 210-day limit of temporary appointments and designation of an official as acting head of agency.

The article discusses the power of the President in appointing officers for a limited term in recess appointments without Senate confirmation. Topics include provisions of Congress on restriction of pay for recess appointees with three exceptions including a vacancy arising 30 days before a Senate session ends. Also mentioned are provisions for recess appointees in the fiscal year (FY) 2008 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act and the scheduling practice of Congress.

The article offers information on the recess appointments made by former U.S. President Barack Obama. It discusses the detail of how recess appointment work which involves the constitutional power of a president to appoint a temporary officer for a vacant position in the U.S. federal government while the Senate is on recess.

The article presents the U.S. Congress Senate Committee reports for the appointment of William H. Webster and William S. Sessions as Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and for a bill to extend the term of the incumbent FBI director.

The article answers a question on whether the U.S. president may make successive recess appointments to the same position.

The article answers a question on whether there are legal restraints on the recess appointment power of the U.S. president.

The article answers a question related to whether a recess appointee needs to be nominated to the position as well.

The article answers a question on factors that constitute a vacancy in the U.S. Senate during a recess.

The article answers a question about the term "recess," or a break in the proceedings of the U.S. House or Senate.

The article discusses the information required by the General Services Administration during the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 prior to the provision of services and funds. The President and Vice-President elect should disclose their financial and personnel data not later than 30 days after the inauguration for public release. The legislation also limits the donations to 5,000 U.S. dollars from any individual or organization for any transition activities.

The article discusses the authorization required during the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 for access to classified information. The transfer of authority mandates the submission of candidates for national security positions and cabinet departments after the election for background investigation. The Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 also requires security clearance for the members of the transition committee.

A change in methodology from previous tracking reports which was mentioned in the report "Presidential Appointments to Independent Agencies During the 110th Congress" is presented.

Agency abbreviations used in the report "Presidential Appointments to Independent Agencies During the 110th Congress" is presented.

A summary of all nominations and appointments to independent and other agencies which is included in a report titled " Presidential Appointments to Independent Agencies During the110th Congress" is presented.

Several tables which show the full-time positions in legislative branch agencies in the U.S. with their respective nominees and incumbents are presented including the Architect of the Capitol (AOC), the Government Accountability Office (GAO), and the Government Printing Office (GPO).

The article offers information on the payment limitations for an acting or temporary financial consultants or advisors under the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act.

The article offers information on the position-specific temporary appointment provisions of the U.S. Congress which are used during a presidential transition in the U.S.

The article discusses the temporary staffing of vacancies in Presidential Appointments with Senate (PAS) positions during the U.S. presidential transitions, focusing on the federal statutes governing the issue under the U.S. Constitution and the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.

The article reports on the process of the appointment of Cabinet officials in the U.S.

The article offers information on selection and vetting which is part of the Presidential Appointments with Senate (PAS) when selecting the next presidential candidates for the election. It mentions several rules for a candidate to be nominated including the submission of Public Financial Disclosure Report and other forms, background investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and review of financial disclosure materials of the candidate.

The article offers information the three stages of Presidential Appointments with Senate (PAS) in the U.S. including Senate consideration, selection and vetting, and appointment.

The article presents brief profiles and contact information of authors Henry B. Hogue and Maeve P. Carey.

An appendix of information and reports from the Congressional Research Service (CRS) regarding presidential appointments is presented.

The article discusses the responsibility of the Senate and the President in appointing top officers in the federal government as to Article II, Section 2 of the appointments clause. Topics covered include advice and consent positions also known as "PAS positions," three stages of advice and consent process which includes selection and nomination, consideration of the Senate and appointment. Also mentioned are statutory provisions of Congress for PAS positions and holdover provisions.

The article presents a summary of the advise and consent process in the appointment of top officers in the executive branch of the federal government. Topics covered include Article II, Section 2 empowering the President to nominate officers with the Senate giving advice and consent in three stages of the process. Also mentioned are statutory provisions of Congress for positions in the executive branch such as specifying qualifications for fixed terms of office and hold over appointments.

The article answers a question about the purpose of a recess appointment made by the U.S. president to fill vacancies that may happen during the U.S. Senate's recess.

The article answers a question on whether a recess appointment may be used to fill a vacancy in the federal judiciary of the U.S.

The article answers a question on what happens in the event of the U.S. Senate's rejection of a recess appointee's nomination.

The article answers a question on the difference between the authority and pay of a confirmed appointee and those of a recess appointee.

The article answers a question on the duration of a recess appointment in the U.S. Senate.

The article answers a question about the meaning of the word "session" for the purposes of the U.S. Recess Appointment Clause and in the context of the reconvening of the U.S. Senate.

The article answers a question about how often U.S. Presidents Barack Obama, George W. Bush and William J. Clinton have made recess appointments.

The article discusses the importance of the presidential transition in the U.S. government as the outgoing administration completes its tasks and the incoming organizes its activities. The President-elect has approximately 11 weeks to establish new jurisdiction which include promoting policies and undertaking of the national and homeland security responsibilities. The new Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 stipulates the support for qualified candidates for transition planning.

The article discusses the convention and the financial resources allocated to the Presidential Transition Act. The 8.95 million U.S. dollars budget proposal for the 2012-2013 presidential transition process is managed by the General Services Administration. The legislation was revised becoming the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 supporting qualified candidates for pre-election transition planning.

Senate intercession recesses and intrasession recesses of four or more days during the 110th U.S. Congress mentioned in the report "Presidential Appointments to Independent Agencies During the 110th Congress" are presented.