Blanche Edges Toward Senate Confirmation as Attorney General

Todd Blanche advanced toward confirmation as attorney general after a party-line Senate Judiciary Committee vote, with Utah Sen. John Curtis among the Republicans in support. A handful of GOP senators remain undecided as Blanche agreed in writing to nullify the $1.8 billion payout fund and scale back an IRS immunity provision from a May settlement, appeasing some Republicans but drawing Democratic criticism of the deal. The full Senate vote is imminent, though Blanche could still lose up to two Republican votes given McConnell’s absence and unified Democratic opposition.