Todd Blanche nomination delayed as Fauci faces possible contempt vote

Capitol Hill is at the center of two major controversies involving President Donald Trump's pick for attorney general and former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.

(NBC)- Capitol Hill is at the center of two major controversies involving President Donald Trump’s pick for attorney general and former NIAID Director Dr. Anthony Fauci.

A Senate Judiciary Committee vote on Todd Blanche’s nomination for attorney general was delayed after Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Thom Tillis of North Carolina raised concerns.

Both senators are seeking written assurances from the Justice Department regarding a settlement between Trump and the IRS over the leaking of the president’s tax records.

The senators want guarantees that a controversial “anti-weaponization” fund included in the settlement is permanently eliminated. They are also seeking to narrow protections from IRS audits involving Trump, his family and his companies.

Cornyn said he was “not prepared to vote yes” without those concerns being addressed.

The delay follows a contentious hearing Wednesday involving Fauci and Republican senators over the federal government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and questions surrounding the virus’s origins.

Sen. Rand Paul, a longtime Fauci critic, accused the former NIAID director of publicly promoting the theory that the virus emerged naturally while being aware of evidence that suggested a possible laboratory origin.

Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights more than 100 times during the hearing. He accused Paul of pursuing an “unhinged obsession” aimed at getting him to make statements that could be used against him.

Fauci has testified before Congress numerous times but appeared Wednesday under subpoena.

He could now face a contempt of Congress vote over his refusal to answer questions. Paul said his committee plans to vote next week on whether Fauci violated the law.