Collins to Oppose Blanche; GOP Margin Narrows to Two Votes

Maine Republican Senator Susan Collins said Tuesday she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for Attorney General, citing actions she says undermined the Justice Department's independence.

Collins pointed to Blanche's approval of a deal shielding Trump from IRS audits, a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund, and a promise to an anti-abortion group to seek a ban on mailing abortion drugs. She also criticized attempts to indict Democratic Senators Mark Kelly and Elissa Slotkin over their videos encouraging resistance to unlawful orders. Collins's opposition came after Republicans John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, and John Curtis agreed to support Blanche, leaving only Bill Cassidy and Lisa Murkowski undecided.

With all Democrats expected to oppose and Mitch McConnell absent, Blanche can afford only two GOP defections. The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines, and Vice President JD Vance praised Blanche as loyal and capable. The full Senate is expected to vote later this week.

ماخذ: Mint