Cassidy Announces Support for Todd Blanche, Clearing Path for Attorney General Confirmation

Sen. Bill Cassidy said he will support Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general, an announcement that cleared the path toward confirmation after two other Republican senators opposed the pick, according to a report on Friday.

The nomination’s momentum shifted shortly before Cassidy’s decision, after Sen. Lisa Murkowski was reported to have aligned with Democrats on the confirmation matter. Cassidy’s statement, made hours later, was described as the final move needed to secure the decisive votes for the Blanche nomination.

Blanche, identified in the report as acting attorney general, has appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee in Washington. The committee role is part of the Senate’s advice-and-consent process for cabinet-level nominations, with the committee typically advancing the nominee for full Senate consideration after hearings and votes.

The report said Cassidy’s support comes after opposition from two other Republican senators, a dynamic that had left the nomination vulnerable to delays or defeat. With Cassidy now backing Blanche, the remaining question for the nomination is how quickly the Senate moves to hold its final vote after the committee stage.

The confirmation process would determine who holds the attorney general office, a role that directs federal law enforcement priorities and oversees the Department of Justice. A confirmed attorney general also typically becomes the principal civilian legal authority for major federal investigations and prosecutions.

Following Cassidy’s announcement, the practical effect would be to reduce the likelihood of procedural stalling driven by intra-party disagreement and to move the nomination closer to completion within the Senate’s scheduled actions.

If the nomination is advanced and confirmed, Blanche would replace the acting designation with full confirmation authority, subject to the Senate’s final vote count and any additional procedural steps required under Senate rules.