Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) said Monday they will support advancing Todd Blanche's nomination for U.S. Attorney General [2].
The move clears a significant hurdle for Blanche's confirmation by securing the support of key Republican holdouts who were concerned about Department of Justice spending [3].
The shift in support follows a decision by Blanche to rescind a controversial "anti-weaponization" fund [1]. The fund was valued at $1.8 billion [1]. Critics had previously described the allocation as a potential slush fund for supporters of Donald Trump [3].
Cornyn and Tillis said Monday, Aug. 3, 2026 [2], that they look forward to voting to advance the nomination. The agreement appears to resolve a primary point of contention regarding the oversight of Justice Department resources.
While the rescission of the $1.8 billion [1] fund has satisfied these senators, some observers remain skeptical. Reports indicate that critics fear the government could still revive the fund in the future [3].
Blanche currently serves as acting Attorney General. His permanent appointment requires Senate confirmation, a process that had been stalled by the dispute over the anti-weaponization resources. With the support of Cornyn and Tillis, the nomination is now expected to move forward in the Senate chamber in Washington, D.C. [2].
“Senators Cornyn and Tillis said they will support advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination”
The resolution of the $1.8 billion fund dispute suggests a compromise between the executive branch's agenda and the Senate's fiscal oversight. By rescinding the funds, Blanche has neutralized a primary political obstacle to his confirmation, though the potential for the fund's future revival maintains a point of friction with legal critics.
