Had Cassidy not supported Blanche, Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., would lack the votes to confirm him before the August recess. Blanche, who is currently the deputy attorney general, has been serving as acting attorney general since April. Important issues have been discussed through this process, and Mr. Blanche has made commitments,” Cassidy said. “Most of the time, it’s clear Mr. Blanche has become a referendum on how people feel about President Trump. “This process should be about Mr. Blanche and how he will go forward in a difficult job, and how the American people can be best served.”