The Senate Judiciary Committee moved the nomination of Todd Blanche forward on Tuesday with a 12-10 party-line vote. This action brings the acting attorney general closer to permanent confirmation as the chamber eyes a potential final vote before the upcoming recess. Chair Chuck Grassley confirmed that concerns raised by Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis regarding specific financial settlements were resolved to his satisfaction.
Democratic members of the committee expressed strong opposition to the nomination and the terms of the settlement deal. Senator Dick Durbin argued that the current agreements regarding a Department of Justice payout fund lack legal enforceability and could be reversed shortly after a confirmation. Other Democrats characterized the committee deal as insufficient to prevent the potential misuse of government resources.
Outside the committee room, the path to a full Senate floor vote remains narrow. With Senator Mitch McConnell absent and Democrats expected to vote against the nominee, Blanche can afford only two defections from his own party. Senators Lisa Murkowski, Susan Collins, John Curtis, and Bill Cassidy have not yet committed to a vote in favor of the nominee, leaving the final outcome in doubt. Senate Majority Leader John Thune continues to navigate these internal pressures as he attempts to manage the legislative calendar before the planned recess.
Simultaneously, the House of Representatives is dealing with its own internal challenges involving Representative Max Miller. Miller announced his intention to request a House Ethics Committee investigation into allegations of domestic abuse made by his former wife, Emily Moreno. The situation gained further attention after Miller’s legal counsel admitted to the accidental release of private photographs of Miller's daughter during a public document disclosure intended to support his defense against these claims. Senator Bernie Moreno, the father of Miller's ex-wife, has publicly called for Miller to withdraw from his race, adding significant pressure to an already tense legislative session.