Todd Blanche moved toward Senate confirmation as attorney general
What's new: Bill Cassidy backed Blanche, while Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski opposed him and Mitch McConnell was absent.
Todd Blanche was on track for a razor-thin Senate confirmation as U.S. attorney general after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana backed him, giving President Donald Trump a crucial vote. PBS reported the chamber could act as soon as that night, though other Senate business remained snarled by Republican divisions. Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposed Blanche, while former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell was absent. Cassidy, who voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, called Blanche an imperfect choice but preferable to leaving an acting attorney general in place.