Sen. Lisa Murkowski announced Friday she will vote against Todd Blanche’s nomination to become attorney general, further imperiling his nomination ahead of a vote on the Senate floor.
Blanche’s confirmation now hinges on Sen. Bill Cassidy (R–Louisiana), the outgoing lawmaker who has previously signaled his willingness to go against President Donald Trump’s agenda. Sen. Susan Collins (R–Maine) said this week she will also vote no.
Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, wrote Friday she appreciated the decisions Blanche made in his capacity as acting attorney general to benefit Alaska. Ultimately, Murkowski added, her decision stemmed from the recent controversies surrounding the Justice Department, including Blanche’s handling of a legal settlement between Trump and the IRS that would have shielded the president and his businesses from agency audits.