Senate committee advances Blanche's bid to become permanent attorney general, setting up final vote

A Senate committee on Tuesday advanced acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's bid to permanently hold the post, setting up a final floor vote.

Blanch secured enough votes after providing a written statement saying the so-called Trump IRS Anti-Weaponization Fund had been closed.

The statement was enough to win over two critical committee votes – those of GOP Sens. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, and John Cornyn, of Texas.

The Senate Judiciary Committee vote was 12-10, along party lines. 

Blanche, as acting leader of the Justice Department, within the past few days put in writing that the $1.8 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies no longer exists.  

Tillis and Cornyn led the effort to get written confirmation and effectively said they wouldn't vote yes on President Trump's nominee until he did so.

However, what remains is a memo signed the day after the creation of the fund that offers Trump broad immunity to him, his adult children and their business for past conduct and could help Trump avoid a tax bill as high as $100 million. 

In the final floor vote, GOP Sens. Lisa Murkowski, of Alaska, and Susan Collins, of Maine, have reportedly said they are not 100% committed to voting in favor of Blanche becoming attorney general.