The recess process

In Washington, DC, the Democrats, fresh from their successes in the mid-term elections, are slavering for more blood. Having forced the Bush administration to ditch Donald Rumsfeld, they are making threatening noises about the US ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton. Bolton's appointment has not been confirmed by the US Senate because he was a recess appointment. But hang on, was not the US ambassador to the EU, C. Boyden Gray also appointed during a Congressional recess? Yes, but it transpires that under the arcane rules on these things, it matters what kind of recess. Even if he is not confirmed by the US Senate in the meantime, Boyden Gray's recess appointment is valid until the end of 2007. All clear now?