The Senate Judiciary Committee has officially delayed a vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general, as he struggles to secure the support of two key Senate Republicans.
Standing in the way of Blanche’s promotion from acting attorney general are Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-North Carolina), with Cornyn saying that Blanche and the Justice Department haven’t done enough to ease his concerns over the proposed $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund and a deal shielding President Donald Trump from future tax audits.
“[Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley] works to set President Trump’s nominees up for success in committee, not failure,” a spokesperson for the committee said. “Senators Cornyn and Tillis want written assurances from the Department of Justice regarding the Trump-IRS settlement. Tomorrow’s markup is postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee to favorably report Attorney General-nominee Todd Blanche, who is highly qualified for the job.”
A “no” vote by either Cornyn or Tillis would likely doom Blanche’s nomination.
Trending
“They’ve stonewalled it,” Cornyn told reporters on Wednesday. “They’re making this a lot harder than it needs to be. … They claim to be negotiating in good faith, but something’s not working, and I don’t know where the problem is. We’re trying to make it easy on them. They simply refuse to take our help.”
The Texas Republican had hoped for a resolution Wednesday morning as he was scheduled to meet with Blanche, but instead he canceled that meeting, alleging that DOJ was not “responsive” to his asks — particularly on the scope of the tax audit proposal. He also said that he sent the Justice Department line-by-line edits to their proposal on the “anti-weaponization” fund and the audit immunity deal.
Later in the day, Cornyn huddled with Tillis and Grassley to brief them on the situation. Grassley delayed the vote hours later, with Cornyn continuing to wonder why Blanche’s team has not been sufficiently responsive.
“I would think [Blanche] wants to be confirmed,” Cornyn said. “I don’t think he’s going to be confirmed if he doesn’t at least try to be responsive.”
Cornyn has insisted Blanche put in writing that the anti-weaponization fund will not go forward, adding that Blanche’s word that it’s “dead” and “moot” is insufficient. Cornyn has noted repeatedly that the agreement between the IRS and the president could be revived later via a breach of contract lawsuit — meaning that a change must be made in writing.
Amid the tumult, Blanche held meetings elsewhere on Capitol Hill, including with Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), another holdout if Blanche’s nomination were to make it out of the Judiciary committee, and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyoming).
Cornyn, the former No. 2 Senate Republican, has long been an ally of leadership, but has been putting his new-found freedom to use after he lost his primary in May. He dispelled speculation on Wednesday that he will fall in line despite his ongoing skepticism of Blanche and the DOJ’s deal with Trump.
“Maybe they think they can roll me,” Cornyn told reporters, adding that’s not the case.
Other Republicans on the committee think Cornyn will stick to his guns.
“If I were the Justice Department, I would believe him,” said Sen. John Kennedy (R-Louisiana). “He’s as serious as four heart attacks and a stroke — and an aneurysm.”
The delay has major implications for Blanche, as it means his nomination process to become the full-time attorney general will spill beyond the August recess. Republican leaders had been hoping to get him over the finish line before they leave for the five-week break late next week.
Author
Contributor
