This is read by an automated voice. Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.<\/p>\n
See more from the L.A. Times in Google Search. Set us as preferred<\/p>\n
WASHINGTON\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican from Louisiana, said Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, likely delivering the decisive vote needed to push President Trump\u2019s embattled nominee to oversee the Justice Department.<\/p>\n
Cassidy, who had expressed reservations about Blanche\u2019s nomination, had been the last undecided Senate Republican, and his support all but locks in the 50 votes Blanche needs to be confirmed after two other GOP moderates \u2014 Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Susan Collins of Maine \u2014 said they would vote no. All Senate Democrats are expected to oppose the nomination.<\/p>\n
Speaking from the Senate floor, Cassidy acknowledged Blanche was an imperfect pick, but that he had come to the conclusion that he would be better positioned to lead the Justice Department than another candidate, in part because he \u201cknows the law.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMr. Blanche is not perfect and he will tell you this,\u201d Cassidy said. \u201cBut the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general, who may not run the department effectively under President Trump and who indeed may not be as good as Mr. Blanche.\u201d<\/p>\n
The confirmation of Todd Blanche hangs on the support of two Republicans who have repeatedly criticized President Trump\u2019s stewardship of the department.<\/p>\n
Cassidy, who lost his reelection bid to a Trump-backed challenger, said he is aware his decision will come with criticism, but said: \u201cWhat\u2019s new?\u201d He then appeared to become emotional, as he assured his constituents that he worked \u201chard to understand the issue and make the right decision.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Louisiana lawmaker\u2019s decision puts Blanche\u2019s turbulent nomination process back on course. His path to confirmation was complicated over his involvement in a settlement agreement that included the creation of a nearly $1.8-billion so-called anti-weaponization fund that would have been used to pay Trump allies, including Jan. 6 rioters.<\/p>\n
In an order issued Sunday night, Blanche declared the settlement dead. It was seen as an effort to appease GOP senators who threatened to block his confirmation. Despite the promise to terminate the settlement, Murkowski said she was worried the Trump administration could proceed with the proposed compensation fund, noting that the Senate only had leverage over the fund because Blanche\u2019s nomination is pending.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we vote, that will end, and there is no telling what the future holds,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The Justice Department also clarified in writing that a tax audit immunity agreement, which was part of the settlement agreement Blanche negotiated, would apply only to claims open at the time of the settlement and does not protect Trump from examination of future tax filings.<\/p>\n
It also makes clear that only the parties that brought the lawsuit \u2014 Trump, two of his sons and the Trump Organization \u2014 are covered by the tax agreement. The fund and the immunity were the result of the settlement reached after Trump, two of his sons and their businesses sued the Internal Revenue Service over the leak of tax documents.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers and legal experts have questioned the lawfulness of the tax protections for Trump. A federal judge who oversaw the IRS case has described Trump\u2019s lawsuit as an improper exercise in self-dealing, and on Thursday the union representing IRS workers asked another judge to block the immunity agreement.<\/p>\n
Trump has continued to support the idea of the fund and told reporters this week that he would still like to compensate Jan. 6 rioters, who he said have been \u201churt so badly.\u201d<\/p>\n