{
  "id": 313231,
  "title": "Senate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-votes-to-confirm-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general-313231",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-08T14:27:18.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News (US)",
    "slug": "abc-news-us",
    "url": "https://abcnews.com/Politics/murkowski-oppose-blanche-nomination-putting-attorney-generals-bid/story?id=135450198"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to serve as the next attorney general on early Saturday, delivering a 50-49 vote. Only two Republicans, Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, opposed Blanche's nomination. Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Republican, switched his vote to support Blanche after initially announcing his support. The vote took place while Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., was absent. Light applause followed the announcement, as focus shifted to Cassidy's passionate floor speech. Blanche's confirmation could potentially put at risk progress in combating violent crime, human and drug trafficking, and fraud. Cassidy emphasized the importance of Blanche's appointment to maintain effective departmental operations under President Trump. Murkowski, who praised Blanche's efforts and capabilities, opposed his nomination due to concerns over the politicization and weaponization of the Justice Department.",
  "summary": "The Senate narrowly confirmed Todd Blanche to be Attorney General by a vote of 50-49 early this morning.",
  "key_points": [
    "Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general 50-49 vote",
    "Two Republicans, Collins and Murkowski, oppose nomination",
    "Bill Cassidy switches vote to support Blanche"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 9,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "PBS NewsHour",
        "title": "Blanche on track for narrow Senate confirmation as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/07/blanche-on-track-for-narrow-senate-confirmation-as-attorney-general",
        "published": "2026-08-07T22:45:40.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CBS News",
        "title": "Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-confirms-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general",
        "published": "2026-08-08T08:35:15.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NPR",
        "title": "Senate votes to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-votes-to-confirm-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general",
        "published": "2026-08-08T08:46:39.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hill",
        "title": "Senate embarks on recess after funding government and confirming Blanche, punting other priorities",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-embarks-on-recess-after-funding-government-and-confirming",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:00:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "CNBC",
        "title": "Senate Republicans narrowly confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-republicans-narrowly-confirm-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:27:09.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Axios",
        "title": "Senate confirms Todd Blanche as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-confirms-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general-303524",
        "published": "2026-08-08T09:31:10.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Jerusalem Post",
        "title": "Senate Republicans narrowly confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-republicans-narrowly-confirm-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general-308348",
        "published": "2026-08-08T13:14:23.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Forbes",
        "title": "Senate Confirms Todd Blanche As Attorney General",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/senate-confirms-todd-blanche-as-attorney-general-312394",
        "published": "2026-08-08T13:37:57.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}