Democrats Target Todd Blanche Confirmation, Warning Trump Could Revive $1.8 Billion Fund
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Democrats Target Todd Blanche Confirmation, Warning Trump Could Revive $1.8 Billion Fund
2 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Aug 4
Summary
Tuesday’s Judiciary Committee meeting is set to become Democrats’ latest platform to attack Todd Blanche and frame his expected confirmation as part of Trump-era corruption.
A deal brokered by Sens. John Cornyn and Thom Tillis narrowed the IRS settlement and wiped out a $1.8 billion payout fund, but Democrats say loopholes could let Trump revive the program anyway.
Dick Durbin and Tammy Baldwin used that uncertainty to pressure undecided Republicans, while Chuck Schumer branded Blanche the “architect of Trump’s grifts” ahead of a full Senate vote.
Republican resistance appeared to soften Monday: Tillis said he still has questions about who shaped the negotiations but expects a solid vote, and John Kennedy reversed earlier skepticism to predict Blanche will be confirmed.
Democrats can likely stretch the fight into the weekend, but they cannot block confirmation if at least 50 Republicans back Blanche, making the battle more about midterm messaging than the outcome.