Maine Senator Susan Collins says she will vote against Todd Blanche’s confirmation as attorney general.
Collins released a statement Tuesday evening, saying “several actions have further eroded the Department’s independence.”
She listed four reasons for her decision, including Blanche’s role in shielding President Trump from tax audits and the creation of a $1.8 billion political “anti-weaponization” fund.
Collins also took issue with Blanche’s promise to an anti-abortion organization to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication, and his role in the DOJ’s attempt to indict Congressional members over their video encouraging resistance to unlawful military orders.
Collins is the first Senator to come out against Blanche, while two Republicans, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, are known to still be undecided. Blanche will need one of their votes to secure confirmation.
Collins is also locked in a tight reelection campaign against Democratic challenger Troy Jackson.
