Sen. Lisa Murkowski says she will oppose acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s full-time nomination, raising prospects of delay

Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) said Friday that she will oppose acting Attorney General Todd Blanche’s nomination to serve as attorney general full-time, putting the confirmation on a tighter path in the Senate and leaving Blanche’s prospects dependent on whether any lawmakers move their positions or whether the chamber schedules a vote under uncertain support.

Murkowski said she had held “numerous constructive meetings with Blanche,” according to a report from The Hill, but she still intends to vote against the nomination. Her announcement follows the statement by a second Republican senator who also indicated plans to oppose the pick, a dynamic that can turn a routine confirmation into a stall if the Senate lacks a clear pathway to the majority required to confirm.

The nomination concerns the Senate’s approval of Blanche, who is currently serving in an acting capacity as attorney general. The practical effect of Murkowski’s position is immediate for timing: Blanche’s nomination would need to clear committee and floor procedures and then obtain sufficient votes in the Senate, and each additional “no” reduces the cushion for any delays tied to scheduling or shifting attendance.

If the Senate vote fails to produce the necessary support, the nomination could remain unresolved and Blanche would continue serving in an acting role while the process resets, potentially prolonging the duration of interim authority and increasing uncertainty for the Justice Department’s leadership agenda during the confirmation window.

The negotiations around confirmations often hinge on questions of qualifications, management priorities, and legal or ethical vetting, and in this case Murkowski’s decision indicates that even with engagement and discussions, she is not prepared to support the nominee for a permanent term. The Hill report also described the nomination as being put “on a knife’s edge” as the Senate approaches the next steps in the confirmation timeline.

The Senate remains responsible for determining whether to advance the nomination and whether to bring it to a floor vote. Murkowski’s announcement ensures that Blanche cannot rely on a unified party position for confirmation and must account for the votes of senators who have indicated opposition or continued hesitation.