The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote Thursday on advancing Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, but the hearing was postponed after Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said he was not ready to vote yes.
Cornyn, a pivotal vote on the committee, told reporters he was withholding his support until he received a written agreement to formally eliminate the Justice Department's "anti-weaponization fund." The fund, valued at nearly $1.8 billion, was created to pay people who claim they were politically persecuted and was part of a settlement to resolve President Trump's lawsuit against the IRS and Treasury Department.
"I'm not prepared to vote yes," Cornyn said, according to CBS News. He also demanded modifications to restrict the scope of the DOJ agreement that granted tax audit immunity to Trump and his family for prior tax returns.
A committee spokesperson said the hearing was "postponed as work continues to secure sufficient support in committee to favorably report Attorney General-nominee Todd Blanche, who is highly qualified for the job." Blanche currently serves as acting attorney general.
Cornyn said Wednesday afternoon he wanted the committee to confirm what Blanche stated under sworn testimony regarding the weaponization fund, who is protected from future audits, and which federal agencies are bound by the release. "It's pretty simple, and we've actually sent them a redline strikeout," Cornyn said.
Earlier Wednesday, Cornyn said he had not seen "a single piece of writing that is responsive to what I've requested." A Justice Department official said the department had provided a written proposal to Cornyn's staff on Tuesday and said the department "look[s] forward to further discussion around any outstanding concerns." Cornyn said that proposal was not responsive to some of his concerns.
Later Wednesday, the Justice Department transmitted a new response to Cornyn and Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina that reportedly addressed their concerns, according to a source familiar with the matter. Tillis, also a committee member, said he shared Cornyn's concerns but appeared more hopeful about a resolution. The two met with Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, hours before Thursday's vote was canceled.
The anti-weaponization fund drew fierce resistance from members on both sides of the aisle after it was unveiled in May. In a statement Wednesday night, a Justice Department spokesperson told CBS News that the department "has been in regular communication with Committee members for weeks, and we look forward to continuing to work productively with Senators to address any concerns."
No new hearing date had been announced as of Thursday.
