Overview
- The White House has sent Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general to the Senate and his path is now precarious because at least one Senate Republican is seeking concrete commitments on mifepristone policy.
- Sen. Josh Hawley has signaled he will press Blanche to agree to settle state lawsuits over mifepristone and to take steps that would clear the way for limits on the drug, saying he expects Blanche’s pro-life record to make him cooperative.
- As acting attorney general, Blanche has taken moves critics say align the Justice Department with anti-abortion priorities, including public criticism of earlier enforcement and staff changes tied to prosecutions of anti-abortion extremists.
- The administration’s refusal to defend FDA rules on telehealth prescriptions and mail delivery of mifepristone has angered pro-life lawmakers and added pressure on DOJ leadership to pursue litigation that could restrict access.
- The Senate Judiciary Committee controls whether Blanche reaches the full Senate, so a single Republican ‘no’ could block the nomination and determine how the Justice Department handles high-stakes mifepristone cases that affect access in states with abortion limits.