"Justices Breyer and Scalia wrote that the President could use the adjournment power to block Senate "intransigence" :) "Justices Breyer and Scalia wrote that the President could use the adjournment power to block Senate "intransigence" Key quote:  "In that case, the Obama Administration asked the Supreme Court to view the recess-appointment power as a “safety valve” against Senatorial “intransigence.” The majority opinion by Justice Breyer rejected that position. Breyer explained that the President has other trump cards at his disposal: namely, the adjournment power. . . . Justice Scalia concurred, joined by Chief Justice Roberts, Justice Thomas, and Justice Alito. They made a very similar position: the President’s friends in Congress could help trigger an adjournment. . . . All 9 Justices seemed to agree that the adjournment power could be used to facilitate recess appointments.”