Susan Collins opposes Todd Blanche for attorney general

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) said Tuesday she will vote against Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general.

Why it matters: Collins' vote won't sink Blanche's nomination on its own. But it makes every remaining undecided Republican that much more important.

• With Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) still absent from the Senate, Blanche, who is serving in an acting capacity, can afford to lose only two GOP votes, assuming all Democrats oppose him.
• "While I believe Mr. Blanche is a capable lawyer, the Department of Justice has become increasingly political," Collins said in a statement.
• "Mr. Blanche has taken several actions that have further eroded the Department's independence, and that is the basis for my vote to oppose his confirmation."

Zoom in: Blanche appeared to have cleared his biggest hurdle Tuesday morning when the Senate Judiciary Committee advanced his nomination.

• Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) dropped their opposition after reaching a written agreement with Blanche that President Trump's proposed $1.8 billion anti-weaponization fund would be terminated.
• They also say Blanche agreed to narrow the scope of the IRS settlement's audit protections for Trump.

Sen. John Curtis (R-Utah), who had previously indicated he had concerns about voting for Blanche, said Tuesday that he would also support him. "I've been pleased with his receptivity and understanding of the issues raised by my colleagues and me," Curtis said on X.

• That leaves two known unknowns among Republicans: Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Neither has said how they will vote.
• Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.), who sometimes supports Trump's nominees, said in early June, "I don't believe that's someone that I could support."

Zoom out: Collins is the only Republican senator seeking reelection in a state that President Trump lost.

• The chair of the Appropriations Committee is running for a sixth term by emphasizing her ability to deliver for Maine. She now faces former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson after Democrats' original nominee, Graham Platner, withdrew following allegations of sexual assault.
• During Trump's second term, Collins has broken with the president on several high-profile occasions. She was one of three Republicans to vote against his signature legislative package, the One Big Beautiful Bill.
• She also opposed a spending rescissions package and Pete Hegseth's nomination as secretary of defense. But she supported Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.