(Washington, D.C.) A major step forward for the Trump administration’s Justice Department agenda—after months of controversy over whether Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche could be confirmed to lead the nation’s top law enforcement agency. On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12 to 10 to advance Blanche’s nomination, sending it to the full Senate for a likely floor vote later this week. The vote was along party lines, but it came only after Blanche cleared a critical last-minute hurdle and won over two Republican holdouts who had threatened to block confirmation. The Justice Department said no members were appointed, no money was transferred, no claims process was established, and no claims were paid. Supporters say Blanche brings the kind of legal experience the Justice Department needs—especially a prosecutor’s mind and a steadier hand.