Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) announced he is “not prepared to vote yes” on advancing Todd Blanche, President Trump’s attorney general nominee, out of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Cornyn’s position came after his scheduled meeting with Blanche was canceled, according to reporting from Wednesday.
The senator has been pressing the Department of Justice to address concerns about a controversial “anti-weaponization” fund and what he characterizes as a DOJ settlement that would shield President Trump and others from IRS tax audits. Cornyn stated that the DOJ has failed to satisfy his concerns about the arrangement.
Cornyn’s announcement is significant timing, as a key Judiciary Committee vote on Blanche’s nomination is scheduled for Thursday. The senator’s opposition could complicate the path for Blanche’s advancement, though the full scope of support and opposition among other committee members remains unclear from available reporting.