Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said on Aug. 7 he will vote for Todd Blanche to be attorney general, paving the way for Blanche to be confirmed to the role.
“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche,” he said on the Senate floor. “It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department effectively under President Trump, and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche.”
Cassidy’s announcement came after Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) said earlier they would not support Blanche.
With the two Republican no votes, Blanche cannot afford to lose any other Republicans given likely unified Democratic opposition and Sen. Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) absence.
Cassidy had been the remaining undecided vote, and his support now clears Blanche’s path for confirmation.
Murkowski said in a post on X that she believes the country needs an attorney general “who will check the worst impulses of this administration” and that she’s not confident that person is Blanche.
Murkowski also said she is concerned that if Blanche is confirmed, the government will proceed with a fund of nearly $2 billion to award people who bring forth claims they were targeted unfairly by the government.
The fund “is only off the table because this nomination is pending and the Senate has leverage,” she stated. “Once we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds.”
Blanche said in an Aug. 2 statement that his order establishing the anti-weaponization fund “is rescinded and shall have no force or effect.”
“We have enjoyed good faith discussions, and as a result issue the following order and update with regard to the May IRS settlement,” Blanche also said at the time. “The Department always welcomes and appreciates productive engagement with all members of Congress.”
Collins, in announcing that she would oppose Blanche, cited several actions he took, such as approving an order to shield President Donald Trump and his family members from tax audits.
Before the deal was reached with Tillis and Cornyn, Trump had said he could pull Blanche’s nomination and wait for the senators to be replaced in January 2027. Cornyn lost his bid for reelection, while Tillis chose not to run.
Cassidy also lost his effort for another term. Collins won the Republican primary for the seat she holds and is facing former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson. McConnell chose not to run for reelection.
Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) is vying with former Kentucky Rep. Charles Booker for the seat McConnell currently occupies. Murkowski’s term runs until early 2029.
