Senate nears Todd Blanche confirmation by a 50-49 margin
What's new: Bill Cassidy backed Blanche, while Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposed him and Mitch McConnell was absent.
The Senate moved Todd Blanche to the brink of confirmation as attorney general after a knife-edge vote left him on track to clear the chamber 50-49. Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided a crucial yes vote, while fellow Republicans Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted no. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was absent, narrowing the final margin and helping Blanche's path. PBS reported the confirmation vote could come later that day, though other Senate business remained snarled amid Republican divisions. Cassidy, who voted to convict Donald Trump in his second impeachment trial, emerged as the pivotal holdout.