The U.S. Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche as attorney general early Saturday, delivering a significant victory for President Donald Trump after weeks of Republican uncertainty surrounding the nomination.
Blanche was confirmed by a 50-49 vote shortly before dawn, with nearly all Republicans supporting him and every Democrat voting against his nomination.
Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski were the only members of their party to oppose Blanche. Republican Senator Mitch McConnell was absent.
The vote was gaveled to a close at 4:31 a.m., followed by light applause in the Senate chamber.
Much of the attention ahead of the vote centered on Republican Senator Bill Cassidy, whose support was considered crucial after Collins and Murkowski announced their opposition.
Cassidy confirmed during a Senate floor speech Friday that he would vote for Blanche, arguing that despite his reservations, the nominee was preferable to the alternatives that could emerge if his confirmation failed.
“Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this,” Cassidy said. “But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche. It is between Mr. Blanche and another acting attorney general.”
Cassidy said rejecting Blanche could undermine progress at the Justice Department in combating violent crime, human trafficking, drug trafficking and fraud.
The Louisiana senator, who is due to leave office in January after losing a Republican primary and has publicly disagreed with Trump on several issues, became emotional while explaining his decision.
“This is not a referendum on President Trump,” Cassidy said. “It is a decision regarding Mr. Blanche and very specific circumstances.”
Cassidy acknowledged that his vote would likely attract criticism but said his responsibility was to carefully consider the issue and make what he believed was the right decision for the country and the people of Louisiana.
Blanche’s confirmation ends a contentious nomination process that had faced resistance from several Republican senators and gives Trump a permanently confirmed attorney general to lead the Justice Department.
