Republican Senator Blocks Todd Blanche Attorney General Nomination Over IRS Settlement Concerns

Sen. John Cornell of Texas cancelled a scheduled meeting with acting Attorney General Todd Blanche after the Department of Justice failed to provide written clarification on a settlement that protects President Donald Trump and related parties from IRS audits of pre-settlement tax returns. Cornell, whose vote is needed for Blanche to advance out of the Senate Judiciary Committee, told reporters he has not received any documentation that addresses his concerns.

"Maybe they think I'm just going to give up or, you know, go along, but they're mistaken," Cornell said.

Cornell indicated that fellow Republican Senator Thom Tillis shares his view, particularly regarding a $1.8 billion fund the DOJ created to compensate alleged victims of prosecutorial overreach, which Blanche later cancelled after criticism from lawmakers. Both senators have asked for a guarantee that the fund cannot be reinstated.

The Judiciary Committee, composed of 12 Republicans and 10 Democrats, is slated to vote on advancing Blanche’s nomination on Thursday. All Democrats are expected to oppose him, and a negative vote from either Cornell or Tillis would block the nomination from reaching the full Senate.

Cornell said Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Chuck Grassley indicated a deadline of 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday to determine whether the committee could proceed with the vote. He added that he has not seen any written response to his request.

A DOJ spokesperson said the department had submitted a written proposal to Cornell’s staff and welcomed further discussion to resolve any remaining issues.

Both Cornell and Tillis are leaving the Senate in January, with Cornell having lost a primary runoff to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who was endorsed by Trump, and Tillis retiring at the end of his term.