- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., said Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, giving President Trump's embattled nominee a crucial vote after two other Senate Republicans announced their opposition.
- Cassidy's support appears to give Blanche the 50 votes he needs for confirmation, assuming no other Republicans defect.
- Cassidy had emerged as the pivotal vote after Murkowski announced Friday morning she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns about the Justice Department and its handling of the case.
- Republicans hold 53 seats, but Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have said they will vote against Blanche, while Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., remains absent from the Senate — leaving Blanche with exactly 50 Republican votes.
- Blanche, Trump's former personal attorney who is serving as acting attorney general, has faced resistance from several senators over his leadership of the Justice Department.
- Sens. John Cornyn, R-Texas, and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., ultimately agreed to support Blanche after he provided assurances that a controversial $1.8 billion created as part of a settlement in Trump's lawsuit over the leak of his tax records had been rescinded and clarified the scope of an agreement shielding Trump and members of his family from certain tax audits.
- Cassidy said he was "not entirely satisfied" with where matters stood and expected he could have additional concerns about the department in the future. But he argued that Trump could be "unrelenting" regardless of who held the job, making it more important to have a Senate-confirmed attorney general with greater standing to push back on the president.
- "This is not a referendum on President Trump," Cassidy said on the Senate floor Friday. "It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche in very specific circumstances."
Sen. Bill Cassidy's support for attorney general nominee Blanche has secured the necessary 50 votes for confirmation, despite opposition from Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins. Cassidy's backing comes after Murkowski expressed concerns about the Justice Department's handling of various issues.
Republicans hold 53 seats in the Senate, but with Murkowski and Collins opposing Blanche, Cassidy's vote was pivotal. He stated, "This is not a referendum on President Trump," emphasizing that the decision was based on Blanche's qualifications.
Blanche, who previously served as Trump's personal attorney, has faced scrutiny over his leadership of the Justice Department. Cassidy noted he was "not entirely satisfied" with the current state of affairs and anticipated future concerns regarding the department.
Despite these reservations, Cassidy argued that having a Senate-confirmed attorney general is crucial, especially given Trump's potential influence. He remarked that Trump could be "unrelenting" regardless of who holds the position, making it essential to have someone in the role who can effectively push back against the president's directives.
Ultimately, Cassidy's support appears to solidify Blanche's path to confirmation, assuming no further Republican defections occur.
“Cassidy said he was "not entirely satisfied" but argued Trump could be "unrelenting" regardless, making a Senate-confirmed AG more important. Cornyn and Tillis supported Blanche after he rescinded a $1.8 billion settlement and clarified tax audit protections.”
CNBC
