Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, announced she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination, saying the country needs an Attorney General who will check the administration's worst impulses.
Key facts
- Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said she will oppose Todd Blanche's nomination.
- Murkowski said the country needs an Attorney General who will 'check the worst impulses of this administration.'
- She said she does not have confidence that Blanche can achieve that.
- Her opposition narrows Blanche's path to confirmation.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, said she will oppose the nomination of Todd Blanche, a decision that narrows his path to confirmation, according to NPR.
In explaining her position, Murkowski said the country needs an Attorney General who will “check the worst impulses of this administration.”
She added that she does not have confidence that Blanche can achieve that goal.
Murkowski’s stated opposition places one Republican vote against the nomination, complicating the effort to secure the support needed for confirmation.
NPR reported Murkowski’s announcement, which frames her decision around concerns about how the nominee would exercise the responsibilities of the office.
Why it matters
The Attorney General leads the Justice Department and shapes how federal law is enforced, so opposition from a member of the president's own party can affect whether a nominee is confirmed. Murkowski's decision signals possible resistance within Republican ranks and could influence the outcome of the vote.
Frequently asked questions
Why does Murkowski oppose Todd Blanche's nomination?
Murkowski said the country needs an Attorney General who will check the worst impulses of the administration, and she does not have confidence that Blanche can achieve that, according to NPR.
What effect does her opposition have?
According to NPR, her opposition narrows Blanche's path to confirmation.