recess

But Trump recently said the Senate "must agree" to recess appointments - a process that skips Senate vetting and allows quick installation of a nominee.

Recess appointments also are meant to be temporary and expire at the end of a congressional session - at most, one year.

Sen John Thune, who was chosen majority leader, agreed to use recess appointments to fill the posts quickly.

In a recess appointment, a president makes an appointment when Congress is on recess.

George W. Bush made 171 recess appointments, Bill Clinton made 139 and Barack Obama made at least 32, according to the CRS.