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by amalcon 34 days ago
Congress has remained in technical session (by having one member open and close the House each day) constantly for decades. Actually ending the session would be a rather significant departure, and I've heard of no plans to do so.
1 comments

That has nothing to do with pocket vetoes. A pro-forma session blocks recess appointments. It also doesn't occur each day, congress can adjourn for up to 3 days without recess.

Pocket vetoes have occurred during mid session breaks (known as intrasession pocket vetoes). In recent years appellate courts have ruled that congress can appoint an agent to receive bills when not in session which would thus make pocket vetoes impossible. This has not been put to the test. Given the current republican supermajority on the supreme court, if a president were ever to assert that agents are invalid it would be now.

I am not interested in being dragged into an argument about this, and of course the supreme court can try to calvinball whatever they want. That being said, your interpretation is at a minimum disputed by one of the largest law firms in the country (https://www.thompsoncoburn.com/insights/pro-forma-session-10...).