Video still by PBS NewsHour WASHINGTON -- Seeking to calm a furor over U.S. surveillance, President Barack Obama on Friday called for ending the government's control of phone data from hundreds of millions of Americans and immediately…

Jan 13

Under a provision of the Constitution known as the recess appointments clause, the president may make temporary appointments to positions that otherwise require confirmation by the Senate, but only when the Senate is in recess. Now, President Barack Obama and…