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 Senate confirmation as attorney general after Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana provided a crucial vote in a narrowly divided chamber. PBS reported that Cassidy’s support appeared to put Blanche over the line, even as fellow Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska opposed the nomination. Former Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was absent, a factor that eased Blanche’s path. The vote timing remained uncertain as other Senate business was still snarled by Republican divisions.