- KIWA Staff Photo
Washington, D.C. (RI) — Senator Chuck Grassley says it was common sense for two of his Republican colleagues to insist on written assurances that a proposed $1.8 billion fund for victims of alleged Justice Department “weaponization” had been abandoned.
That development cleared the way for Tuesday’s Judiciary Committee vote on Todd Blanche, President Trump’s pick for U.S. Attorney General.
Blanche’s nomination was advanced to the full Senate on a 12-10 party‑line vote. Grassley, who chairs the Judiciary Committee, cancelled last week’s vote because of the impasse over the fund.
Last week, President Trump suggested he might withdraw Blanche’s nomination and resubmit it next year due to objections from Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina and Senator John Cornyn of Texas, who will be leaving the Senate when their terms end 152 days from now. Grassley thanked both senators Tuesday.
Grassley says Blanche has had a successful anti‑crime track record over the past four months while serving as acting attorney general and should be confirmed by the Senate.
Republicans hope to hold a full Senate vote on Blanche’s nomination by the end of the week. Democrats oppose the nomination and have called for legislation to ensure Blanche does not revive the anti‑weaponization fund if confirmed.
