A planned vote on Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general has been postponed, leaving the appointment in doubt. Two Republican senators on the committee responsible for advancing the nomination have expressed concerns that have stalled the process.
Senator John Cornyn has demanded formal modifications to an agreement reached between the Justice Department and President Donald Trump to settle a lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service. Cornyn stated that the Department of Justice has failed to satisfy his concerns regarding a deal intended to shield President Trump and others from IRS tax audits.
The two Republican senators have indicated they will not support the nomination without additional clarity from the Justice Department. In response, the Department of Justice issued a statement saying it remains ready to work productively with Senators Cornyn and Tillis to advance Blanche's confirmation.