The Republicans have maneuvered the rules to allow calls for Senate sessions every 3 days, whether anyone actually attends or not. This complex of rules was approved by SCOTUS itself using the Republican controlled court.

"...President Obama may ponder the possibility of putting on the Court a new Justice of his choosing, to serve temporarily. The problem, though, is that less than two years ago, the Supreme Court severely narrowed the flexibility of such temporary appointment power, and strengthened the Senate's capacity to frustrate such a presidential maneuver."

from here: http://www.scotusblog.com/2016/02/is-a-recess-appointment-to-the-court-an-option/

The goal is simple... to rig the Senate rules, the electoral college, the public voting rights, the Gerrymandering routines so that they have total control over the important parts of how the country functions... much like actual dictatorships... with only pro forma 'rights' for the general public. When they can win elections, even when they lose the majority, the situation becomes..... interesting.