Blanche picks up key GOP support but some swing votes undecided

Senate Blanche picks up key GOP support but some swing votes undecided Comments: by Helen Huiskes - 08/04/26 4:23 PM ET Comments: Link copied by Helen Huiskes - 08/04/26 4:23 PM ET Comments: Link copied

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Two previously undecided Republican senators, Sens. John Curtis (R-Utah) and Jon Husted (R-Ohio), on Monday committed to supporting Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general after receiving adequate assurances about their concerns.

The Senate Judiciary Committee approved Blanche’s nomination Tuesday morning after weeks of tussling between two Republicans on that panel and the Department of Justice over the future of the proposed “anti-weaponization” fund. Those two senators, Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), gave Blanche their support after he signed a formal order rescinding that fund.

As Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is absent, Blanche can’t afford to lose more than two Republican votes when his nomination comes to the Senate floor later this week. And while some key Republicans who had been noncommittal on their support have come around since Tillis and Cornyn struck their deal with Blanche, others are not ready to commit.

Husted, who is running for reelection in a competitive race, said last week that he believed “a lot of people” shared Cornyn and Tillis’ concerns about the weaponization fund. But Husted told reporters Tuesday that he expected Blanche to have a smoother route to confirmation before the August recess.

“I think that the recent agreement that he put in writing with Senator Cornyn and Senator Tillis has eased a lot of concerns,” Husted said. “And so I think it does clear a path for his confirmation before the end of the week.”

Curtis had met privately with Blanche last week to discuss specific concerns he had, which he said included Utah-specific issues as well as the anti-weaponization fund. He said Tuesday in a statement that he was satisfied with Blanche’s cooperation.

“I’ve been pleased with his receptivity and understanding of the issues raised by my colleagues and me, including the anti-weaponization fund and a number of Utah-specific priorities,” Curtis said. “I look forward to working with him once confirmed.”

Three Republican senators remain undecided, enough to sink Blanche’s confirmation.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine), one of the most vulnerable Senate Republicans up for reelection, said after the Judiciary vote that she still had no decision to announce.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), who is leaving Congress at the end of the year, also did not comment on whether they would support Blanche.

Alexander Bolton contributed.

Add as preferred source on Google Tags John Cornyn John Curtis Jon Husted Mitch McConnell Thom Tillis Todd Blanche

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