All eyes on NC’s Tillis as Senate returns for Todd Blanche confirmation hearing
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee plans to meet Wednesday for Blanche's confirmation hearing.
- Sen. Thom Tillis said he has a positive predisposition toward Blanche.
- Tillis said if he gets 'a whiff' Blanche lacks independence it could affect his vote.
Good morning! It’s Danielle Battaglia with the latest edition of Under the Dome focused on the Trump administration.
Congress returns to Washington this week, and I expect it to be a doozy. And by doozy, I mean high-drama; no true legislating.
If you remember two weeks ago, I told you that a decision by President Donald Trump threw Congress into disarray, with leadership giving up on trying to get anything accomplished and sending its members home for two weeks.
And I don’t sense that absence made their hearts grow fonder.
On Friday, Trump refused to sign the historic 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act into law because the Senate has not — and more than likely will not — pass the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring voter ID and other election regulations. Since Trump didn’t veto the housing bill, though, it still became law.
But that hullabaloo is what sent Congress adjourning early for the Fourth of July recess in the first place.
Now as they return, they have to deal with Trump’s demands to pass the SAVE America Act. At the same time, the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to meet Wednesday for the confirmation hearing of Todd Blanche to serve as attorney general. Blanche previously served as Trump’s personal attorney.
Sen. Thom Tillis, a Republican from Huntersville, serves on the committee and has offered support for Trump’s nomination of Blanche. He told CNN’s Jake Tapper he has “a positive predisposition toward Blanche.”
On social media, Tillis posted a photo of the two men together, writing, “It was good to meet with Acting Attorney General Blanche to discuss his nomination to serve as the next Attorney General. I appreciated the opportunity to hear his vision for the Department of Justice and discuss the important work that lies ahead.”
Tillis told McClatchy on Friday that he worked directly with Blanche while the Department of Justice investigated former Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, to which Tillis strongly objected. Tillis said Blanche “brought it to a good place.”
DOJ dropped the investigation into Powell, and that led Tillis to end his blockade against Trump’s nomination of Kevin Warsh to replace Powell.
But some wonder if Tillis could turn on Blanche because he signed an agreement for the 1776 fund, which would have allowed people who felt they were prosecuted for political reasons to seek restitution from a government fund that was earmarked to include $1.776 billion.
Tillis told Spectrum News’ Reuben Jones that the fund was “stupid on stilts.”
In the same Tapper interview, Tillis said if he gets “a whiff” that Blanche lacks independence it could influence his vote.
Several groups have tried to influence Tillis’ opinion, including the Wake County Republican Party and a group saying it represents victims of Jeffrey Epstein. Both asked him to vote against Blanche’s nomination.
Also a factor this week in Congress is that Senate Leader Mitch McConnell has been hospitalized for weeks. Little is known about his condition, but that makes an already narrow Republican majority even closer.
Other stories you don’t want to miss:
- Sexual assault claim leads NC’s Cooper to join Democrats’ call for Platner withdrawal
- Parasite outbreak in NC and 17 other states, CDC says. What to know about cases, symptoms
- Ham the Astrochimp, first ape in space who retired to the NC Zoo, finally gets his due
- YouTuber says error led to Confederate flag in NC ‘State Fair’ booth
- NC homeowners pooled Helene relief money for road fix. Their HOA has gone silent
- It was Duke Energy vs. everybody at this week’s NC rate hike hearing
- CNBC ranks NC highly for business yet again. Here’s where the state placed.
- Statue of Billy Graham, Revolutionary War monument coming to NC Capitol grounds
That’s it for now. Thanks for reading and supporting local journalism. Be kind to each other.
If you have any feedback or tips for this edition of the newsletter, feel free to reach out to me directly at dbattaglia@mcclatchydc.com.
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