- Sen. Susan Collins will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, which poses a significant challenge for President Donald Trump's pick.
- Blanche's nomination was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 vote, moving it to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote.
- Blanche, the acting attorney general, struck a deal with Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis to eliminate the controversial anti-weaponization fund.
- Collins cited concerns over the Department of Justice's politicization and Blanche's actions regarding an IRS audit shield and abortion medication as reasons for her opposition.
- Blanche needs 50 votes in the Senate for confirmation, and with a 53-47 GOP majority, he can only afford one additional defection.
- Senate Judiciary Committee Democrats expressed concerns that the anti-weaponization fund could be revived, leading to all Democrats opposing Blanche's nomination.
- All Democrats on the committee opposed Blanche, while all Republicans voted in favor, highlighting the partisan divide over his nomination.
Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, has pledged to vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, citing concerns over the politicization of the Department of Justice. Collins stated, "While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political."134
Blanche's nomination was advanced by the Senate Judiciary Committee in a 12-10 vote, but he faces a challenging path ahead. He needs 50 votes on the Senate floor to be confirmed, and with Republicans holding a 53-47 majority, he can only afford to lose two GOP votes.2
Collins highlighted Blanche's involvement in a controversial settlement between Trump and the IRS, which provided an audit shield for the president and his family, as well as his promise to an anti-abortion organization to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication nationwide. She expressed concern that Blanche's actions have eroded the Department's independence.
The committee's Democrats opposed Blanche's confirmation, with one senator calling the documents he provided regarding the end of the controversial anti-weaponization fund a "sham." As Blanche's nomination moves to the Senate floor, the outcome remains uncertain, especially with Senators from Alaska and Louisiana yet to declare their positions.6
“Blanche, now acting attorney general, struck a deal to kill the anti-weaponization fund; Collins cited an Internal Revenue Service audit shield and an abortion-medication mailing promise in opposing him. With a 53-47 GOP majority, Blanche can afford only one more defection, leaving Alaska's and Louisiana's undecided senators as potential swing votes.”
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