US Congress Approves Funding Bill to Avoid Shutdown

Republican members of the U.S. Senate narrowly succeeded in confirming Todd Blanche as Attorney General in President Donald Trump’s administration, concluding one of the most contentious battles over cabinet appointments during Trump’s second term. The confirmation came after concerns raised by members of both parties about Blanche’s independence nearly derailed his nomination. Blanche secured Senate approval with a vote of 50 to 49, with Republican Senators Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski voting against him. Senator Bill Cassidy broke the tie, stating that he viewed Blanche as the best option Trump could offer. The vote capped weeks of confrontation between Senate Republicans and the Trump administration over Blanche, who has served as Acting Attorney General since April and previously oversaw the department’s day-to-day operations as its second-highest official. Republican senators expressed concerns about Blanche’s handling of the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, as well as his role in establishing Trump’s $1.8 billion “Fund to Combat the Politicization of Government Institutions” and a related agreement granting tax immunity to Trump and his children.