Joe Biden has picked

0

nominees to fill key roles in his administration so far

We are tracking 754 executive branch positions among about 1,250 that require Senate confirmation.

593

positions have no
nominee yet.

15

nominees have been
announced.

35

are being considered
by the Senate.

1

has been confirmed
by the Senate.

Additionally, we have identified 110 appointees so far who are serving in termed positions or who were held over from previous administrations.

Presidents are required to fill roughly 4,000 politically appointed positions in the executive branch, including more than 1,250 that require Senate confirmation. The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service are tracking nominees for roughly 800 of those 1,250 positions, including Cabinet secretaries, chief financial officers, general counsels, ambassadors and other critical leadership positions.

[We've been tracking Trump's top political appointees since 2016]

To fill these positions, President Joe Biden must formally nominate candidates to be confirmed by the Senate as part of its “advice and consent” responsibilities under the Constitution. From announcement to confirmation, a nominee must pass through several steps, including a formal nomination, a referral to at least one Senate committee, a committee hearing and an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.

Democrats took control of the Senate only after Vice President Kamala D. Harris and the winners of the Georgia runoffs were sworn in, delaying scrutiny for Biden’s nominees until Inauguration Day on Jan. 20. The uncertain timing of an impeachment trial will likely contribute further delays. Two of President Trump’s Cabinet picks were confirmed on Inauguration Day in 2017, fewer than the six at the start President Barack Obama’s first term.

The tracker will be updated at least twice per day as more positions are considered and filled. Researchers are also working to identify appointees who will continue to serve in termed positions or who were held over from previous administrations. For data questions, please contact tracker@ourpublicservice.org.