, Columnist
Senate Confirmation for 1,200 Jobs Is Holding Biden Back
Congressional advise and consent is needed, but only for appointments at the highest levels.
Symbol of gridlock.
Photographer: Susan Walsh-Pool/Getty Images
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Within hours of his inauguration, President Joe Biden had staffed around 1,100 key federal appointments, an unprecedented number that speaks to the excellent work of his personnel team during a difficult transition.
Yet this accomplishment was only possible because the roles did not require Senate confirmation. Of the 1,200 or so jobs that do, the president by his 100th day in office had nominated a record 220 individuals, of whom the Senate has confirmed just 44, or less than 4% of the total.