The Senate Judiciary Committee moved Todd Blanche’s nomination for permanent Attorney General to the full Senate along party lines, but Senator Susan Collins announced she will oppose the confirmation, leaving the final vote razor thin and hinging on whether any other Republican defects or changes course.
The committee’s party-line vote followed Blanche’s decision to withdraw an order that would have created a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund, a move that won him support from Senators Thom Tillis and John Cornyn. That shift cleared two major GOP holdouts, but it did not resolve all concerns among moderates and skeptics in both parties. The change was framed as a concession to prevent a prolonged confirmation fight and to address worries about the Department of Justice’s independence.
Late Tuesday, Maine Republican Susan Collins announced she would oppose Blanche on the Senate floor, citing a pattern of actions she says undermine the Department’s impartiality. Her statement stresses she reviewed his record, testimony, and follow-up materials before deciding. Collins said she finds Blanche capable as a lawyer but believes several of his choices have eroded public confidence in the DOJ’s independence.
https://x.com/DAGToddBlanche/status/2084114427813437897
I have carefully reviewed Todd Blanche’s qualifications to be Attorney General. This includes his record and responses to questions from Senators at the Department of Justice Appropriations hearing, his confirmation hearing, and in the weeks that followed.
While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political.
Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department’s independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation:
Mr. Blanche approved an order to shield the President, his sons, and the family business from IRS audits, protections unavailable to other American taxpayers.
He approved the creation of a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund.
He promised an anti-abortion organization that he would seek to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication to women nationwide.
Under his leadership, the Department attempted to indict Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over their ill-advised, but constitutionally protected, videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders.
More than 1,200 former Department of Justice employees have opposed his nomination, arguing that he has undermined the institution.
For these reasons, I will vote against this nomination.
Collins’ opposition reduces the GOP margin and transforms the Senate math into a high-stakes tally where every vote counts. With Senator Mitch McConnell absent and Democrats unified against the nomination, Republicans effectively have a narrow path to confirmation. If another Republican senator decides to vote no, Blanche would be blocked unless a Democrat crosses the aisle, which appears unlikely at present.
Fox News’ chief congressional correspondent Chad Pergram explained the situation in blunt terms, noting that the Senate currently operates with an effective 52 Republicans and 47 senators who caucus with Democrats. His breakdown underscores how a single additional GOP no vote would flip the balance and potentially deadlock the nomination. The vice president can only break a tie, so Republicans need to hold nearly every member in place to push Blanche across the finish line.
With GOP ME Sen Collins opposing Blanche for AG:
It’s about the math.
The Senate is effectively operating at 52 Republicans and 47 senators who caucus with the Democrats with the absence of Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
So with Collins’ opposition, and presuming that all Democrats are nays, that gets you to 51-48.
What we don’t know is if the decisions by Sens. Thom Tillis (R-NC) and John Cornyn (R-TX) to support Blanche provides cover for other possible GOPers who may have reservations with Blanche. That includes Sens. John Curtis (R-UT) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
If Blanche loses the support of one more (presuming everything is equal) the vote is 50-49. Remember, Vice President JD Vance CAN ONLY vote if it’s a tie.
So the nomination can only lose one more vote. An additional no vote from a GOPer blocks the nomination.
Keep in mind that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has been rather cryptic about the rest of the schedule this week.
Questions remain about whether senators such as Lisa Murkowski, John Curtis, or Bill Cassidy will follow Collins’ lead or stick with the nominee after the changes Blanche made. Reporters sought comment from those offices but received little clarity, leaving the floor vote date and outcome uncertain. That uncertainty amplifies the political calculus for leadership as they weigh timing and potential concessions.
Part of the concern centers on internal DOJ decisions and perceived political interventions that critics say favor the president or certain interest groups. Opponents cite multiple actions—from audit protections to policy promises and prosecutorial choices—as evidence Blanche has shifted the department toward partisan priorities. Supporters counter that Blanche has acted to correct overreach and restore balance after years of alleged weaponization by career prosecutors.
The Senate floor fight, when scheduled, will test how tightly the Republican majority can hold together around a nominee who has already made tactical moves to win key votes. If Blanche secures only the bare minimum of support, his tenure would start under intense scrutiny and likely face ongoing resistance from both former DOJ officials and skeptical senators. If he fails to secure confirmation, the acting arrangement could extend and the search for a permanent candidate would restart amid heightened political tensions.
The coming days will show whether any further adjustments or assurances can sway wavering senators, and whether leadership can manage the delicate arithmetic to deliver a confirmation vote that sticks. For now, Collins’ public opposition places Blanche in a precarious position and leaves the nomination hanging on the margin between success and defeat.
Add comment