Before they declined to share how they would vote on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominations, you might have heard multiple U.S. senators state on last weekend’s Sunday morning talk shows that the Senate has the responsibility to provide "advice and consent" on appointments. It’s true. Under the U.S. Constitution, the Senate must confirm a president’s cabinet nominations. But what about Trump's demand for so-called “recess appointments?"

These kinds of appointments don’t need a vote by the Senate and could be in place for up to two years.

But according to Daniel Weiner, director of the Brennan Center’s Elections & Government Program, a unanimous Supreme Court ruling against President Barack Obama from 2014 could pour cold water on the president-elect’s wishes.  

Weiner spoke with Capital Tonight host Susan Arbetter about the issue.