Senator John Curtis announced Tuesday that he will support Todd Blanche's nomination for attorney general, a decision that moves the nominee closer to confirmation following discussions regarding Utah-specific priorities and the anti-weaponization fund. The announcement, made via a statement on X, follows a Senate Judiciary Committee vote to advance the nomination on party lines.
Curtis Cites Understanding of Utah Priorities
The decision from the Utah senator comes at a critical juncture in the confirmation process. According to a statement released by Senator John Curtis on Aug. 4, 2026, he reached the conclusion to support Blanche after engaging in robust discussions with the nominee. Curtis noted that he has been pleased with Blanche's receptivity and his understanding of specific issues raised by the senator and his colleagues.
Among the key topics of discussion were several Utah-specific priorities and the anti-weaponization fund. This fund was established under a May settlement that Blanche helped broker, according to reporting by Politico. Curtis indicated that the nominee's engagement with these issues was a deciding factor in his support, and he expressed his intention to work with Blanche once the confirmation is finalized.
Path Toward Senate Confirmation
The support from Curtis is a significant development for the Blanche nomination, as Politico reported on Aug. 4, 2026, that the nominee may now be just one vote away from securing confirmation in the Senate. The movement toward a majority follows a pivotal vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee, where members voted along party lines to advance the nomination to the full Senate.
To secure the necessary support from key Republican senators, Blanche reportedly agreed in writing to certain conditions regarding the May settlement. These conditions included the nullification of the $1.8 billion payout fund and a scaling back of an IRS audit immunity agreement. These concessions were cited as providing enough comfort to Senators John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina to vote in favor of the nominee.
Opposition from Senator Collins
Despite the momentum gained from Curtis's support, the nomination faces a significant hurdle in the form of Senator Susan Collins of Maine. Collins issued a statement on Tuesday indicating she would oppose Blanche, citing concerns that certain actions have further eroded the independence of the Justice Department.
Collins specifically highlighted two areas of concern: Blanche's role in a controversial IRS settlement involving President Donald Trump and his previous commitment to an anti-abortion organization regarding the prohibition of mailing abortion medication to women nationwide. Collins is currently facing a difficult reelection campaign in a state that has voted against Donald Trump three times.
Uncertainty Among Remaining Republicans
As the Senate prepares for a final vote, the remaining undecided Republican senators are Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska. On Tuesday, both senators indicated they were still grappling with their final decisions.
Senator Murkowski declined to disclose how she intended to vote, while Senator Cassidy told reporters he had nothing to say regarding the nominee. Meanwhile, Senator John Cornyn has been active in attempting to secure the remaining votes. Cornyn stated that he has already held discussions with both Collins and Murkowski, noting that Collins is one of the most diligent individuals in the Senate and that further conversations with Murkowski are expected.
Final Confirmation Outlook
The confirmation process for Todd Blanche remains a focal point of Senate activity as the administration seeks to fill the attorney general position. With the Judiciary Committee having already advanced the nomination, the full Senate's decision will hinge on the remaining undecided members and the weight of concerns raised by senators like Collins.
