All articles tagged with #confirmation
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she will vote against Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general, citing concerns that the $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund could be revived if he is confirmed. With Mitch McConnell absent, Blanche’s path to confirmation grows thinner and hinges on Sen. Cassidy’s vote, narrowing the GOP’s chances as the Senate weighs the nomination.
Republican Todd Blanche won a party-line 12-10 vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee to advance his nomination as attorney general, moving him toward a final confirmation vote soon. Democrats criticized a payout fund and an IRS immunity deal, while several GOP lawmakers remain undecided as leadership seeks to wrap up confirmation before the upcoming recess, with Cornyn and Tillis indicating support and others weighing their votes.
Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general is in jeopardy as Sen. John Cornyn refuses to back Blanche until he receives a written modification to a DOJ-brokered $1.8 billion IRS settlement, tying it to Blanche’s pledge to curb an anti-weaponization fund; the vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee appears risky with Tillis as a potential swing vote, and time is tight before Congress's summer recess. The live updates also note GOP governors backing a new reconciliation bill, Rand Paul’s move to hold Fauci in contempt after invoking the Fifth, and other Senate actions like Graham’s Russia sanctions bill and North Carolina campaign ads.
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse describe attorney general nominee Todd Blanche's meeting with them as dismissive and unproductive, viewing it as a checkbox to secure votes for his confirmation. The DOJ disputes this, calling it a productive initial discussion, but survivors say Blanche avoided direct engagement and failed to address key concerns, complicating his path to Senate confirmation, which hinges on gaining support from Republicans like Sen. Tillis.
A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing will scrutinize Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general, with his path to confirmation described as razor-thin because just one Republican defection could derail it. Key witnesses will challenge and defend Blanche’s record, including the Epstein-file vetting and his pledge to keep the DOJ independent from political interference, while two swing Republicans—John Cornyn and Thom Tillis—hold pivotal votes ahead of a committee vote expected later this month.
Several Republican senators say they have questions about the DOJ’s deal shielding Donald Trump, his family, and his businesses from IRS audits of past tax filings, a move that could affect Todd Blanche’s confirmation; some want amendments or more details, including whether the immunity is retroactive or could cover future audits, while the White House defends the arrangement and Senate Republicans weigh how to proceed.
With Powell's term ending May 15, Warsh's confirmation faces Republican opposition tied to a DOJ probe into Powell's oversight of Fed renovations, raising the risk of a leadership gap if Warsh isn't confirmed in time and Powell serves as pro tempore or is replaced, a move that could spark legal challenges and unsettled markets amid inflation concerns and energy-driven price pressures.
Kevin M. Warsh disclosed more than $100 million in assets and pledged divestment as he faces a Senate Banking Committee confirmation hearing for Fed chair, with his path complicated by concerns about the Fed’s independence amid political pressure from the Trump administration.
The Senate confirmed Sen. Markwayne Mullin to lead the Department of Homeland Security, stepping into a department facing a funding lapse and fierce debates over immigration enforcement during ongoing negotiations.
The Senate voted 54-37 to limit debate on Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin's nomination to head the Homeland Security Department, moving toward a final confirmation vote that could come soon; Mullin would replace Kristi Noem and would become the second Native American cabinet member.
The Senate voted 54-45 to confirm Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) as Homeland Security secretary, replacing Kristi Noem. Mullin pledged to steady DHS and hinted at shifting priorities, including requiring warrants for private-property entries and repositioning ICE toward transportation roles, as funding fights over immigration enforcement continue. Rand Paul was the lone Republican to oppose, with cross‑party support from several Democrats.
The Senate voted 54-37 to advance Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to head the Department of Homeland Security, setting up a likely confirmation this week despite Republican opposition from Rand Paul and Democratic concerns about his temperament and experience amid ongoing DHS funding talks.
The Senate voted 54-37 to advance Oklahoma Republican Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security, putting a final confirmation vote on track soon amid a funding dispute over immigration enforcement.
The Senate advanced Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to lead the Department of Homeland Security in a 54–37 weekend procedural vote, with two Democrats joining Republicans; a final confirmation is expected soon. Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, has drawn praise from many Republicans and some Democrats, despite earlier questions from Rand Paul during his hearing about his past remarks and views on violence. He would succeed Kristi Noem amid scrutiny of immigration enforcement and DHS advertising, and has framed his leadership as empowering people. The vote comes as DHS remains in a funding and immigration reform stalemate that has disrupted airports, with talk of ICE assistance to TSA if needed.
Democrat John Fetterman voted with Republicans on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to advance Markwayne Mullin’s nomination to head the Department of Homeland Security, citing a need for strong leadership and national security. His AYE came after Mullin faced temperament concerns from Rand Paul, with the committee’s 8-7 vote paving Mullin’s path to a full Senate vote likely next week; Mullin would lead DHS’s 260,000-strong workforce, including ICE, TSA and the Coast Guard. Fetterman said the decision reflected an open-minded approach and a commitment to reopening DHS while maintaining a constructive working relationship with Mullin.