I’ll be criticized for this vote.

I was told by a couple of my colleagues, I'm a lousy politician, but a good senator. I would challenge everybody at this moment to be a good senator.

What if you touch it and you rescue it? I think the president would touch that. What if you touch it and you actually increase benefits for some? I think the president would touch that.

This is not the time to be political. It is the time to be a good senator.

I condemn language like that.

Yes, I think he does. JD Vance came and spoke to the Republican lunch and did a good job of explaining the perspective as how to go forward, and someone said, not me, someone else, JD, the president needs to give that same message to the…

I think he does. J.D. Vance came and spoke to the Republican lunch and did a good job of explaining the perspective as to how to go forward.

We're happy to receive and process that.

Mr. Blanche showed poor judgment in approving the anti-weaponization slush fund and exempting the president from IRS audits.

I am reluctant to impede the department's work fighting violent crime.

All things considered, I will vote for Mr. Blanche.

This is not a referendum on President Trump, it is a decision regarding Mr Blanche, in very specific circumstances.

I am told that Senate confirmation is important in interactions with the president, with others in the Cabinet and is important to DOJ employees in general. Being Senate-confirmed gives him greater leverage to push for things that should…

I have a history with Mr. Trump. But that history does not matter one bit.

It must stop. It should stop now.

I am particularly concerned about episodes of apparent lawfare, DOJ bringing suits against political enemies.

Mr. Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this. But the choice is not between perfection and Mr. Blanche.

I will vote for Mr Blanche. Mr Blanche is not perfect, and he will tell you this, but the choice is not between perfection and Mr Blanche; it is between Mr Blanche and another acting attorney general who may not run the department…