👩🏾‍⚖️ap us government review

Recess appointments

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025
Verified for the 2027 exam
Verified for the 2027 examWritten by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

Permits the president, under Article II, Section 2, to fill vacancies when the Senate is not in session so that nominees may serve without Senate confirmation until the end of the Senate’s next session. Historically used to bypass Senate approval and constrained by the Supreme Court in NLRB v. Noel Canning, it affects executive staffing and the separation-of-powers balance over appointments.

AP course connection

Topic 2.4: 2.4 Roles and Power of the President

Unit 2

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