Now that Blanche is out of committee, I asked Grassley if Blanche has the votes needed on the senate floor “We’re trying to determine that at this point,” but expects he’ll be confirmed, Grassley said

Blanche was voted out along party lines

“It’s hard for me to say this as a plant-based guy, but where’s the beef?” —Booker, expressing concerns that the weaponization fund is actually dead and that the IRS audit is limited

CORNYN is speaking now Regarding the agreement Tillis and him reached with DOJ, he said he expects the department to "live up to this in future litigation"

Good morning from the Senate Judiciary Committee business meeting where senators will vote shortly on Blanche's nomination

Tillis and Cornyn announced they will now vote for Blanche. Now the question is, can he get confirmed before August recess starts?

Durbin, Cramer and Boozman introduced a bipartisan bill today that would create a pilot program for the federal judiciary to control facilities for some of its courts. They've been asking Congress for real property authority since 1989. GSA is currently in control Story tk

Tillis says he’s still not a no on Blanche and is “optimistic” he can get to yes.

NEW Trump post on Todd Blanche "I have no objection to temporarily withdrawing Todd’s name, if they do not do the right thing, and putting him back after Cornyn and Tillis are out of office."

DOJ spox on the vote getting postponed: "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."

Statement on the Blanche vote postponement:

Grassley just walked into Cornyn’s office and did not answer any questions Tillis entered shortly after

“No news” —Cornyn on Blanche That 4pm deadline is getting real close

Cornyn is saying DOJ has not been sufficiently responsive with his request regarding info on the IRS settlement A DOJ official says department sent Cornyn's staff a written proposal on Tuesday. "We look forward to further discussion around any outstanding concerns"

Tillis and Cornyn are still undecided on Blanche ahead of the committee vote on Thursday

Thune is noncommittal so far on Trump’s request to keep the Senate in over August recess, but noted to reporters that he supports the SAVE Act 

Jack Smith's attorneys are pushing back. Story here-- www.law360.com/articles/250...

Jack Smith's Lawyers Say Criminal Referral Twists Testimony - Law360

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith's legal team has said the criminal referral a U.S. congress member sent the Department of Justice to investigate Smith is based on a "spurious claim."

law360.com

Courtney Bublé@courtneybuble.bsky.social · 2w ago

NEW: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has referred Jack Smith to DOJ for criminal prosecution judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...

NEW: Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, has referred Jack Smith to DOJ for criminal prosecution judiciary.house.gov/sites/evo-su...

Just to clarify, both Slotkin AND Peters voted to confirm Michael Martin to the Eastern District of Michigan, who they returned blue slips for (the tally is now updated to show Peters voted yes)

The @senatepress.bsky.social site is wrong. Peters did vote yes on cloture and confirmation for Martin.

The Senate just confirmed the first federal judge with a Dem blue-slip of the second Trump administration Slotkin and Peters both returned blue-slips for Michael Martin, but only Slotkin voted for him

Just now, Blackburn sought UC on a resolution to condemn Judge Eleanor Ross of Georgia who was privately reprimanded for having sex in her chambers with a police officer Durbin objected. Said there was no precedent for this

Blanche has close ties through his in-laws to a gun manufacturer that does federal contracting. He is at the helm of the agency that regulates firearms, but told senators in post-hearing questions there is no conflict of interest Story below

The science manual for federal judges that Trump fumed about last night has been an ongoing controversy for months now. Here's what happened:

A federal judge, appointed by Trump in his first term, called out the administration yesterday for its apparent use of AI to cite "nonexistent case law" in a habeas matter

Survivor Lara Blume McGee issued the following statement after the meeting with Blanche:

NEW: DOJ statement on Blanche's meeting with Epstein survivors today

Just asked TILLIS how he thought the hearing went and if he would support Blanche. Thinks Blanche did well "but my issues are still the same,” referring to the weaponization fund. He said he was "encouraged" that Blanche said he would work with him on bill lang to end the fund

CORNYN tells reporters he is UNDECIDED on Blanche

CORNYN, who could be a swing vote, says to Blanche “there's a lot to admire” about his record Asks if weaponization fund is moot, Blanche says yes But Cornyn notes there is no written statement on this