Here are a few things to consider after Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced today that she will not support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.
Will Blanche Secure Enough Votes?
Currently, there are two Republican senators who have expressed opposition to Blanche: Murkowski and Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. The Senate is made up of 53 Republicans and 47 Democrats, but Sen. Mitch Mc Connell, R-Ky., has been absent from voting since his hospitalization in June.
All attention is now on Sen Bill Cassidy, R-La., who is the only other vote still undecided that we know about. He plans to speak on the Senate floor at 10:40 a. m. to announce his decision regarding the nomination. If Cassidy votes no, all Democrats vote no and Mc Connell doesn’t show up to vote, Blanche’s nomination would fail 49-50.
Importantly, Blanche had a meeting with Cassidy and Murkowski on Wednesday, where Cassidy described it as a ‘good conversation.’
The Role of Mc Connell
If Mc Connell were to return and cast a yes vote for Blanche-he hasn’t voted since his fall in June but was just released from rehabilitation-the tally would be 50-50, allowing Vice President JD Vance to break the tie.
However, Mc Connell suggested yesterday that he wouldn’t return until after the August recess ends when he stated, “On the advice of my doctors, I’ll maintain an intensive regimen of physical therapy from home during the state work period, and I’ll continue to engage with my staff and colleagues on important Senate business.”
Also keep in mind that while we don’t have any indication Mc Connell would oppose Blanche’s nomination outright, we also can’t confirm that he’s going to support it either. We’ve reached out to his office for clarity; however they usually don’t reveal how he intends to vote ahead of time.
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