The U.S. Senate confirmed acting Attorney General Todd Blanche to be the next Attorney General on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after a contentious nomination process marked by opposition from some Republican senators. The confirmation vote was 50-49, with all Democrats and two Republicans, including Maine Senator, supporting Blanche.

Republican Senators John Cornyn and Thom Tillis initially hesitated to back Blanche due to concerns over a $1.8 billion anti-weaponization package. They demanded that the Department of Justice (DOJ) provide written proof that the fund had been rescinded and sought revisions to an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) settlement to limit audit immunity for former President Donald Trump and his family strictly to the plaintiffs involved.

Although the DOJ sent a written proposal to Cornyn on July 27, Cornyn returned it, arguing that the demands had not been fully met. This disagreement led Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley to postpone a scheduled markup on July 30 until a deal was reached. Eventually, Cornyn and Tillis reached an agreement with Blanche, allowing the nomination to advance out of the committee.

Blanche has faced criticism for actions perceived to undermine the Department of Justice's independence. More than 1,200 former DOJ employees opposed his nomination on these grounds. Blanche became acting Attorney General on April 2, 2026, after former Attorney General Pam Bondi was fired by then-President Trump.

During Blanche's confirmation hearing on July 15, Cornyn questioned whether the anti-weaponization fund could be revived, highlighting ongoing concerns.

Separately, Representative Ruben Gallego announced he would miss several votes on Thursday, August 6, 2026, to attend to a family emergency.

Sources