Grassley ahead Blanche nomination vote says 'crime' it took so long to resolve IRS settlement issue

Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate committee that will vote Tuesday to advance acting Attorney General Todd Blanche's nomination to get the post full-time, said before the vote it was a "crime" that it took so long to resolve the so-called IRS Anti-Weaponization Fund" issue that delay's the vote.

"I don't think it should have taken as long as it did," said Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. "It's just a crime that it took so long to work out a common sense issue." 

However, he did not place blame on anyone specifically.

At issue was Blanche, as acting leader of the Justice Department, putting in writing that the $1.8 billion fund to compensate President Trump's allies no longer exists.  

Two GOP members of the committee – Sens. Thom Tillis, of North Carolina, and John Cornyn, of Texas – led the effort to get written confirmation and effectively said they wouldn't vote yes on President Trump's nominee until he did so.

Grassley also acknowledged that he was "probably a little late ... getting involved in this issue."

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.