Collins to oppose attorney general nominee over abortion pledge, DOJ concerns

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, announced Tuesday she will vote against confirming Todd Blanche as attorney general, citing concerns including IRS audit immunity issues, a $1.8 billion fund, a Justice Department attempt to charge senators over political speech, and opposition from more than 1,200 former DOJ employees.

Collins also pointed to reports that Blanche privately told an anti-abortion organization he would work to make the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision "permanent" if confirmed, including seeking to prohibit the mailing of abortion medication nationwide under the Comstock Act. Blanche was quoted saying the department would put "practices and policies in place" so states protecting the unborn "can't be attacked" by mail-order abortion drugs from other states.

The Justice Department told Newsweek the comments had been "mischaracterized" and should be understood as relating to mail-order abortion drugs rather than a broader expansion of federal control over states.

Blanche needs 50 Republican votes to be confirmed, meaning Collins' opposition alone will not block his nomination, though it narrows his margin.

Read the full story at abovethelaw.com.