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The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-10 on party lines Thursday to advance Trump’s attorney general nominee William Barr to a Senate floor vote, which could take place as soon as next week.
Why it matters: Many Democratic lawmakers are concerned Barr's past writings about presidential authority may present conflicts of interest as he heads up a Justice Department currently investigating Trump. He has said Trump did not obstruct justice by firing former FBI director James Comey and that Mueller should not be able to subpoena Trump over obstruction.