Senate confirmations are reflecting a smaller percentage of Americans
Votes to confirm judges, Cabinet members, ambassadors and other posts requiring Senate confirmation have become more contentious, with a smaller percentage of the country represented by senators voting in favor.
Scatter plot of confirmations since 1989, for positions such as Cabinet seats and judicial appointments. The average representation has decreased over time, but is lowest in the presidency of Donald Trump, when almost half of the people were confirmed by senators representing under half of Americans.
