Overview
- Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, who announced his support on Friday, shifted the math in the 100-seat Senate and made a narrow approval of Branch’s nomination more likely.
- The Senate is split 53 Republicans to 47 Democratic-aligned members and one Republican is on medical leave, so a small number of defections or absences could still change the outcome.
- Two GOP senators had opposed the nomination earlier, creating a momentary risk that Branch would not reach the majority needed for confirmation.
- Cassidy is one of the few Republicans who has sometimes criticized the president, and his choice to back Branch highlights how individual senators’ judgments are deciding the vote.
- If confirmed, Branch would lead the Justice Department and could steer enforcement priorities and decisions that affect the administration’s legal posture, and the next step is the final Senate roll-call vote expected soon.