While some of President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees are expected to sail through Senate confirmation, potential roadblocks exist. For less contentious picks, senators might employ expedited procedures like voice votes or unanimous consent to save valuable floor time. This approach requires agreement from all 100 senators (currently 99). However, some Democrats may strategically oppose this streamlined approach, not to obstruct the process, but to demonstrate bipartisanship.

By demanding roll call votes even for nominees they support, Democrats can create a record of their bipartisan efforts. This allows them to showcase their willingness to collaborate with the incoming administration, even if they oppose other nominees. For instance, while a nominee like Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary might face strong Democratic opposition, others, like a hypothetical nomination of Senator Marco Rubio for Secretary of State or Sean Duffy for Transportation Secretary, could garner bipartisan support. Securing roll call votes on these less controversial nominees would provide Democrats with concrete evidence of their cooperative stance.

This tactic allows Democrats to highlight their support for a portion of Mr. Trump's nominees, emphasizing their bipartisan approach while still maintaining the right to oppose other, more contentious choices.