The settlement announced in May was brokered by Blanche, who is currently overseeing the Justice Department as acting attorney general. Although Blanche told Cornyn at his confirmation hearing that the fund was “dead,” Cornyn wanted greater assurances. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., who shared Cornyn’s concerns about the fund, was also not a guaranteed vote for Blanche. Tillis had set the condition that the acting attorney general meet with those harmed by Epstein’s abuse, which Blanche did. Asked about the Epstein survivors and their advocacy on the Hill, he told reporters, “I’m focused on other issues.