Cornyn says he will wait for DOJ hearing briefing before deciding on Blanche attorney general nomination

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) said Tuesday that he will not decide whether to support Todd Blanche’s bid to become attorney general until after the Senate Judiciary Committee completes its briefing and Blanche completes his committee hearing. Cornyn made the comments after meeting with Blanche, who currently serves as acting attorney general.

Cornyn characterized the meeting as a “positive interview,” but did not indicate whether he intends to vote to advance or confirm Blanche. In describing his next steps, Cornyn said he would wait for a briefing and for the completion of Blanche’s hearing before the Senate committee.

The Judiciary Committee confirmation process for a Cabinet-level Justice Department role typically includes an appearance by the nominee, followed by committee consideration before any full-Senate vote. Cornyn’s statement places his own position in that sequence, tying any decision on his support to the end of both the committee briefing and the hearing phase.

Blanche’s status as acting attorney general means he is currently leading the Justice Department in the interim, while the Senate confirmation track proceeds. Cornyn’s remarks, as reported, framed the upcoming committee steps as the point at which he would evaluate Blanche, rather than responding immediately after the meeting.

A Cornyn decision to support or oppose a nomination can affect the internal dynamics of committee-level and broader Senate deliberations, particularly in instances where members want more information on an acting official’s approach to department priorities and oversight questions raised during hearings.

Cornyn’s comments also underscore the timing-driven nature of Senate confirmations, where senators frequently reserve final judgments until the record is developed through testimony and questioning in committee and related briefings.