Trump administration live updates: Todd Blanche’s AG nomination in jeopardy
Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the Republican primary for governor of Tennessee.
President Donald Trump’s nominee for attorney general is hanging by a thread after another GOP senator said she would vote against the nomination. <!–> t=3–>Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images<!–>
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What to know today<!–>
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- BLANCHE NOMINATION: Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, came out today against Trump’s pick of Todd Blanche for attorney general, leaving the nomination hanging by a thread.
- TENNESSEE PRIMARIES: Sen. Marsha Blackburn won the Republican nomination for governor of Tennessee yesterday, while Rep. Andy Ogles lost his GOP primary.
- SANCTIONS BILL: The Senate is expected to vote on legislation to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran today before it leaves town for its August recess.
Senate to vote on Russia and Iran sanctions, government funding<!–>
The Senate will be in session today for votes on a number of measures before it leaves town for its August recess.
The session, scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. ET, will include votes on a bill to impose sanctions on Russia and Iran, on a bloc of Trump nominees and on advancing a short-term spending bill to fund the government through Dec. 11. It’s unclear when the Senate will hold a confirmation vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general.
If a bipartisan agreement on floor time comes together, the Senate could vote on Blanche tomorrow. If not, Democrats could use the full procedural time allotted to drag out the process.
After today’s session, the Senate is expected leave town for a five-week recess.
A spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., Ryan Wrasse, posted on X last night, “Public service announcement: This will not be the end of the day tomorrow — it’s just the beginning.”
Trump has called on Senate Republicans to cancel the August recess to pass his election overhaul bill, the SAVE America Act. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, said he wants the Senate to vote on canceling recess.
Ogles loses his Republican primary in Tennessee<!–>
Ogles has lost his Republican primary, NBC News projects, falling to a former Tennessee official in a primary season that has seen an unusually high number of incumbents lose renomination.
Charlie Hatcher, the former state agricultural commissioner, rode support from prominent establishment Republicans to a victory over the controversial congressman who was backed by Trump. Hatcher is a heavy favorite in the general election in the deep-red district.
Blackburn wins the Republican primary for governor of Tennessee<!–>
Tennessee’s senior senator has won the Republican nomination for governor, NBC News projects, defeating Rep. John Rose in a race in which Trump declined to endorse a candidate.
Blackburn, 74, became the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate after she won her current seat in 2018; she had served in the House since 2003. If she wins the governor’s race, she would be the first female governor.
GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski comes out against Todd Blanche for attorney general, putting nomination in jeopardy<!–>
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, came out today against Trump’s pick of Todd Blanche for attorney general, leaving the nomination hanging by a thread.
Murkowski joins fellow centrist Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, to oppose the president’s choice. With Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., out indefinitely, and Democrats expected to vote no, a third GOP opponent would block the nomination for the powerful job.
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/business