Overview
- The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 along party lines on Tuesday to advance Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general to the full Senate.
- Blanche issued one-page Justice Department orders late Sunday that say the roughly $1.7–$1.8 billion “anti-weaponization” fund is rescinded and that IRS audit immunity is narrowed to the named plaintiffs.
- Legal experts and Senate Democrats say the orders are likely unenforceable because the underlying IRS settlement can be changed only by written agreement of the lawsuit parties, meaning the fund could be revived or challenged in court.
- Republican Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis withdrew their holdouts after receiving Blanche’s written assurances and Tillis said Blanche’s meeting with Jeffrey Epstein survivors helped secure his vote.
- The nomination now goes to the full Senate where Republicans have a slim majority and a small number of undecided GOP senators could determine Blanche’s confirmation while critics warn the fight raises long-term questions about DOJ independence and possible legal battles over the settlement.