Senate Confirms CDC Director Erica Schwartz 51-44, Debates Attorney General Nominee Todd Blanche Amidst Slush Fund and Tax Immunity Concerns, and Rejects PFAS Reporting Disapproval 48-50
The Senate convened on August 5, 2026, with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the appointment of an Acting President pro tempore. The Majority Leader delivered remarks on the newly released 5-year farm bill. The session saw significant debate surrounding the nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General, with a cloture motion filed. The Senate successfully invoked cloture and confirmed Erica Schwartz as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, a motion to proceed to a Congressional Review Act resolution to disapprove an EPA rule delaying PFAS reporting was rejected. Several other procedural votes related to the AGOA Extension Act and unanimous consent requests for various bills were also considered.
This chamber-day was significant due to the confirmation of a key public health official, the Director of the CDC, and the intense, high-stakes debate over the Attorney General nomination, which raised fundamental questions about the independence of the Department of Justice and the influence of the President. The rejection of the PFAS reporting disapproval resolution also had direct implications for environmental transparency and public health data collection. Ongoing discussions regarding the farm bill and the hemp loophole highlighted critical policy areas affecting American agriculture and public safety.
Nomination of Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General
Executive Calendar No. 914Question before the chamber
Confirmation of Todd Blanche as Attorney General of the United States.
The case for
Senator Barrasso argued that Todd Blanche is highly qualified for the Attorney General position, citing his decade of experience at the Department of Justice, including his current role as Acting Attorney General. He stated that under Blanche's leadership, the DOJ has refocused on fighting crime and upholding the rule of law, leading to a dramatic fall in murder rates and drug overdose deaths. Barrasso highlighted Blanche's efforts against fraud and his dedication to integrity, accountability, and fairness, noting support from former DOJ officials, state attorneys general, and law enforcement, including former Attorney General Bill Barr, who praised Blanche's 'personal determination, discipline and thick skin' for the role.
The case against
Senators Durbin, Blumenthal, Van Hollen, Welch, Hickenlooper, and Murray voiced strong opposition, arguing that Blanche's loyalty is to President Trump, not the Constitution or the rule of law. They cited his past role as Trump's personal lawyer and alleged actions as Acting Attorney General, including involvement in creating a $1.8 billion 'slush fund' for January 6 rioters, a 'sweetheart settlement' providing tax immunity to Trump and his family, and mishandling of Epstein files, which allegedly exposed survivors' information while shielding Trump. They also pointed to a federal judge's finding of 'vindictive prosecution' under Blanche's leadership and his reported private comments to anti-abortion activists about restricting abortion access in all 50 states. Concerns were raised about the Department of Justice losing credibility with federal judges due to 'unlawful,' 'unethical,' and 'unseemly' conduct under his tenure.
Disposition
Cloture motion filed · other
Debate pending
Who is affected
- American citizens: Potential impact on the integrity and impartiality of the Department of Justice, enforcement of laws, and protection of civil liberties.
- January 6 rioters: Potential for financial compensation through a 'slush fund' and pardons, raising questions about accountability for attacking the Capitol.
- Jeffrey Epstein survivors: Alleged mishandling of files, exposing personal information, and perceived lack of justice for victims.
- Taxpayers: Potential for misuse of funds for political allies and granting of tax immunity to the President and his family.
- Women seeking abortion access: Potential for federal action to restrict abortion in all states, as indicated by Blanche's private comments.
Nomination of Erica Schwartz, of Florida, to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Question before the chamber
Confirmation of Erica Schwartz as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The case for
No specific arguments in favor of the nominee were aired on the floor, but the successful cloture vote and confirmation indicate broad support from the majority.
The case against
Senator Hirono stated she would have voted nay on the motion to invoke cloture. Senator Cantwell expressed opposition to the en bloc nominations process and 'almost all of these nominees,' but did not specifically detail opposition to Schwartz, while reaffirming support for other Democratic nominees.
Disposition
Confirmed · recorded vote
Nomination confirmed
51-44
Who is affected
- American public: Leadership of the primary federal agency responsible for public health and disease prevention, influencing national health policies and responses to health crises.
Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Modification to the Start of the Submission Period for Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Reporting and Recordkeeping Under TSCA 8(a)(7)"
S.J. Res. 187Question before the chamber
Motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 187.
The case for
Senator Whitehouse argued that PFAS is a dangerous and toxic substance, and the EPA's repeated delays in requiring reporting about PFAS use are unnecessary and potentially influenced by the chemical industry to weaken protections. He urged for immediate reporting to understand exposure to these chemicals, emphasizing the bipartisan concern over PFAS contamination.
The case against
Senator Capito argued that the resolution would force an unworkable deadline because the EPA's electronic reporting system, the Central Data Exchange, is not ready to receive submissions. She stated that the EPA has moved this date multiple times due to technical challenges in collecting a decade of historic PFAS information from thousands of entities. She emphasized that the CRA cannot make the system faster and would expose small businesses and manufacturers to potential enforcement for failing to comply with a deadline the EPA itself concluded cannot be met.
Disposition
Motion to proceed · recorded vote
Motion rejected
48-50
Who is affected
- Communities exposed to PFAS: The continued delay in public access to information about PFAS use and potential exposure, affecting their ability to understand and address local contamination.
- Manufacturers and importers of PFAS: Relief from immediate reporting requirements, but potential for future enforcement if the EPA's system is not ready when the new deadline arrives.
- Environmental Protection Agency: Maintains the current timeline for developing the reporting system, avoiding an 'unworkable deadline' as argued by opponents.
Todd Blanche Nomination for Attorney General Draws Extensive Opposition
highThe nomination of Todd Blanche for Attorney General sparked considerable debate, with multiple Senators raising concerns about his past role as President Trump's personal lawyer, his alleged involvement in creating a $1.8 billion 'slush fund' for January 6 rioters, a 'sweetheart settlement' granting tax immunity to the Trump family, and his handling of Epstein files. Opponents also cited a federal judge's finding of 'vindictive prosecution' under his leadership and his reported private comments about restricting abortion access in all 50 states. A cloture motion was filed, with debate pending.
Erica Schwartz Confirmed as CDC Director
highThe Senate successfully invoked cloture on the nomination of Erica Schwartz to be Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with a vote of 51-43, and subsequently confirmed her nomination with a vote of 51-44.
Motion to Disapprove EPA's PFAS Reporting Delay Rejected
mediumA motion to proceed to S.J. Res. 187, a Congressional Review Act resolution aimed at disapproving an EPA rule that delayed the start of PFAS reporting, was rejected by a vote of 48-50. Proponents argued for immediate reporting on toxic PFAS chemicals, while opponents cited the EPA's unpreparedness to receive submissions.
Majority Leader Highlights Farm Bill Progress
mediumThe Majority Leader, Mr. Thune, announced the release of the text for a 5-year farm bill, slated for markup. He emphasized improvements to commodity programs, crop insurance, modernization of farm loan programs, and the inclusion of permanent year-round E15, along with provisions for the Conservation Reserve Program and rural broadband.
Concerns Raised Over 'Hemp Loophole' and Child Safety
mediumSenators Budd and Ricketts voiced strong concerns about a 'hemp loophole' in federal law that allows intoxicating THC substances to be sold in unregulated retail stores, often in packaging that mimics popular children's snack and candy brands. They highlighted a significant increase in pediatric cannabis poisonings and called for the loophole to be closed permanently.