Murkowski undecided on Blanche confirmation as Alaska port settlement looms

Sen. Lisa Murkowski has not committed to a position on Todd Blanche's confirmation as attorney general, according to Politico reporting published Wednesday, leaving her vote an open question in a closely contested nomination.

Blanche traveled to Anchorage as part of a two-day Alaska visit to announce a $180 million federal settlement resolving a long-running lawsuit over the Don Young Port of Alaska, which handles roughly 90% of goods entering the state. The settlement was announced July 7. Anchorage Mayor Suzanne LaFrance called it "the largest settlement in the municipality's history" and said "every single dollar of this funding will go directly toward construction costs for the Port of Alaska modernization program," a $2.7 billion project. The state budget also includes $15 million for the project. "This settlement is great news for Alaska and brings a long-running dispute to a successful conclusion," Murkowski said at the time.

Separately, Senate roll-call records from July 20 and July 22 show the chamber processing several judicial nominations unrelated to the Blanche confirmation. On July 20, Murkowski voted in favor of cloture on the nomination of Benjamin M. Flowers to the Sixth Circuit. On July 22, Sen. Dan Sullivan voted in favor on multiple judicial confirmation votes while Murkowski was recorded as not voting. No vote on Blanche has been scheduled.