According to Axios, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said Friday he will vote to confirm Todd Blanche as attorney general, helping keep Blanche's nomination alive before the Senate leaves for its August recess. Cassidy's support comes after Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) opposed the nomination, while Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has remained absent; with Democrats expected to vote in party line, Blanche could afford to lose only two Republican votes. Cassidy said the decision was not a referendum on President Trump and argued that, despite missteps under Blanche's Justice Department leadership, Blanche knows the law and could run the department effectively. He also said the nomination had regained momentum earlier in the week after Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) dropped their opposition following a written agreement with Blanche to end Trump's proposed anti-weaponization fund. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has said he wants a vote before the August recess, but no vote has been scheduled.