Senator John Cornyn has reached an agreement with the Justice Department to support advancing Todd Blanche’s nomination as attorney general after the department formally ended a controversial compensation fund. The deal removes a significant obstacle to Blanche’s confirmation and reflects Republican concern over whether the proposed fund could be revived.

The Justice Department rescinded the $1.8 billion “anti-weaponization fund”, which was created through a settlement of President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service over leaked tax returns. Cornyn and Senator Thom Tillis had withheld support pending written assurances that the fund would be cancelled; its intended beneficiaries included people alleging political misuse of government powers, potentially including Trump allies.