Senate Convenes

Highlights in Annapolis today:Senate convenes at 10 a.m., Senate chamber.House of Delegates meets at 10 a.m., House chamber.Pub Date: 4/07/98

WASHINGTON -- The Senate opened for 22 seconds yesterday, the first of two planned sessions each this week and next to keep President Bush from making so-called "recess appointments." The "faux" sessions are part of a rare gambit by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. Presidents use recess appointments when a nomination is in trouble in the Senate. "It's unfortunate that we have to do this, but we couldn't run the risk of the administration ramming through some of their highly controversial appointments while we were in recess," said Jim Manley, the Democratic leader's press secretary.

House of Delegates convenes at 10 a.m. Senate convenes at 10 a.m. Hearings of interest: The House Ways and Means Committee will hear testimony on legislation (HB 866) that would require counties to contract with child care providers and other programs if a school system does not have sufficient capacity to provide all-day kindergarten for all pupils in the 2007-2008 school year, as state law requires. The hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. The Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee will consider legislation that would require motorists who receive probation for certain drunken-driving offenses to use an ignition interlock device that prevents the vehicle from being started if the device detects alcohol during a breath test.