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May 13, 2018 - Politics & Policy

The Senate Democrats who keep saying no to Trump nominees

Neal Rothschild
Note: Data is limited to 37 confirmation votes for cabinet, Supreme Court and top leadership positions in the executive branch; Data: U.S. Senate, Axios analysis of voting records; Graphic: Chris Canipe/Axios
Note: Data is limited to 37 confirmation votes for cabinet, Supreme Court and top leadership positions in the executive branch; Data: U.S. Senate, Axios analysis of voting records; Graphic: Chris Canipe/Axios

A handful of Senate Democrats are committed to opposing President Trump’s executive branch nominations at every turn — and the group bears an uncanny resemblance to the rumored 2020 frontrunners.

Between the lines: Democrats like Kirsten Gillibrand, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders and Cory Booker have nothing to lose by voting against Trump's nominations — and a lot to gain with the Democratic voters they'll need if they decide to run for the White House.

The winner: The list is topped by Gillibrand, who voted to confirm David Shulkin (an Obama holdover) and Nikki Haley, but no others for prominent leadership roles. She was the lone vote against Jim Mattis as Defense Secretary.

The flip side: The Senate Democrats who have voted against Trump nominees the least include red-state Democrats Joe Manchin (16.2%), Heidi Heitkamp (16.2%) and Joe Donnelly (27%) — as well as independent Angus King (24.3%). Manchin and Donnelly are the only Democrats who have committed to voting to confirm Gina Haspel as CIA director.

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