The Constitution of the United States, Article II, Section 3: "He may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them..."
We have a jobs emergency and the Congress has not acted. Almost everything the Senate does is being blocked by an obstructionist minority that is trying to tank the economy, believe a demoralized public will blame the other party and won't bother to vote, which will help them take power in November.
The government is not governing and the consequences for working (and out-of-work) people are severe. Millions of unemployed are not finding jobs. People can't pay their mortgages or rent and are losing their health care. Small businesses are reaching the end of their ability to hold out. Communities, even whole states are out of money to cover even basic services.
The President has the the power to do something about this. He has the power to show the public where he and his party really stand on doing something about the jobs crisis. He has the power to show that he can put his foot down and demand action.
The Congress is planning to go on recess soon and the President has the power to make them stay until robust jobs legislation is passed.
This is an opportunity to show the public who is acting and who is blocking. This is an opportunity to clarify for the voters who is working to get jobs going and who is keeping the Congress from acting.
The President has the opportunity to lead. He has the opportunity and the responsibility to govern.
This is an emergency. Make them stay.
