Republican senator Thom Tillis recently met with White House officials to endorse Todd Blanche’s confirmation as U.S. attorney. Critics claim say Tillis, formerly a vocal champion, now wields reduced influence. The Senate lost an influential member when Lindsey Graham died on July 14. This leaves more vacancies for top positions. The GOP contested the SAVE Act during the week. Backers pressed strongly, but others described the effort weak. They maintained the bill was missing a clear strategy.