Senate Judiciary Committee Postpones Todd Blanche AG Nomination Over $1.776 B Fund Dispute

Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley (R-IA) cancelled the scheduled markup of acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination after two Republican senators—John Cornyn (R-TX) and Thom Tillis (R-NC)—withheld support pending written assurances that the Justice Department would permanently dissolve a $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” fund tied to the Trump-IRS settlement. Both senators, who are set to leave Congress at the end of the year, indicated that a “no” vote could sink the nomination.

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The disputed fund was created as part of a proposed $10 billion settlement of former President Donald Trump’s lawsuit alleging the IRS had leaked his tax information. Intended to compensate individuals who claimed they were harmed by the government’s actions, the fund has drawn criticism from both GOP and Democratic senators, including concerns that it could benefit participants in the Jan. 6 attack.

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Cornell asserted he had sent a “red line” to the Justice Department and demanded a rapid response, while Tillis warned he would not attend a markup without a deal, describing the situation as a “coin toss.”

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• “I’d say it’s a coin toss,” — Sens. Thom Tillis

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• “Beats me. Maybe they think I’m just going to give up or, you know, go along, but they’re mistaken.” — Senators Cornyn

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• “Tell them they have one hour and 50 minutes to get me what I asked for,” — Senators Cornyn

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• “I’m waiting for what we asked for a long time ago. I suppose, since he’s a party to the lawsuit, his interests may be affected,” — Senators Cornyn

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• $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund at issue.

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• Two Republican senators—Cornyn and Tillis—are the pivotal holdouts; both are retiring at year-end.

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• The nomination’s markup was postponed, delaying any committee vote on Blanche’s confirmation.

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