Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) announces she will vote against Todd Blanche’s nomination to be attorney general. Multiple outlets report the decision narrows Blanche’s path to confirmation because it reduces the margin Republicans can afford for any additional defections among Senate votes. The Hill and the Washington Times both describe Collins’s “no” vote as a key development for the nomination’s prospects. The Mint adds that Collins’s opposition is tied to concerns about Blanche’s actions and their potential impact on the independence of the Department of Justice. It cites issues including an alleged deal involving shielding former President Donald Trump from IRS audits and Blanche’s support for anti-abortion measures. Across the reporting, Collins’s stance is presented as a major obstacle in what remains a closely divided confirmation environment. With Collins set to oppose the nomination, Blanche would need all other supportive votes from within the Republican conference and to avoid further Republican losses to meet the Senate’s confirmation threshold. The outlets do not describe any final timing for the vote, but all agree Collins has committed to opposing the nomination.