Key facts
- Acting Attorney General nominee Todd Blanche's confirmation hearing is scheduled for mid-July.
- Senator John Cornyn met with Blanche and remains non-committal on his confirmation.
- Concerns exist among some Republican senators regarding a $1.776 billion settlement fund.
- Blanche previously served as one of Donald Trump's personal lawyers.
- Blanche needs to convince several GOP senators on the Judiciary panel for confirmation.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings for acting Attorney General Todd Blanche for mid-July, with specific dates expected to be July 15 and 16. President Donald Trump nominated Blanche, but concerns linger among some GOP senators regarding a $1.776 billion settlement fund. Senator John Cornyn met with Blanche and remains non-committal, pending further briefings. Senator Thom Tillis has expressed cautious optimism but still has concerns about the fund. Senator John Kennedy anticipates a tough confirmation process, while Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley expects Blanche to be confirmed before the Senate's August recess. Blanche previously served as one of Trump's personal lawyers, and his nomination requires convincing several Republican members of the Judiciary panel.