WASHINGTON — Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, said Tuesday she will vote against confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general, tightening the math for his confirmation after the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced his nomination and set up a full chamber vote later this week.
Blanche needs 51 votes in the 100-member Senate. With 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, and Democrats expected to vote uniformly against him, Republicans can afford only one more defection before his nomination fails.
Collins cited the Justice Department's independence as her reason for opposing the nominee. "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," she said.
Attention now shifts to a handful of Republicans who have not publicly committed their support. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La. and John Cornyn, R-Texas, are among those whose votes remain uncertain. Cassidy declined to discuss the nomination Monday, saying he was still reviewing it. Collins said she wanted to speak with Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. and Cornyn about an agreement they reportedly reached with Blanche. Details of that agreement have not been disclosed.
Both Cassidy and Cornyn lost primary challenges backed by President Trump earlier this year. Neither faces another primary, freeing them to vote without fear of direct electoral retaliation — and making their decisions a test of how much sway Trump still holds over Republicans in their final terms.
Trump has made Blanche's confirmation a priority, viewing the attorney general's office as central to his administration's law enforcement agenda. A failed confirmation would be a significant legislative defeat and could delay key initiatives at the Justice Department.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D. is expected to push for a swift floor vote. White House lobbying and opposition pressure will intensify in the days ahead, with the small number of undecided Republican senators holding the outcome in their hands.
