Week ahead: Final vote for AG nominee?

The Senate could finally vote on Loretta Lynch, President Obama’s nominee for attorney general, after a four-month wait.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) initially said he intends to bring Lynch’s nomination up for a vote next week, and many observers are saying it could be one of the closest confirmation votes in recent memory. http://j.mp/1GAEx4d

But on Sunday, McConnell said he would delay her vote until the Senate moves forward on a bill to stop human trafficking. Democrats have held up that measure over language that prohibits federal funding for abortions. http://bit.ly/1ANqZhb

{mosads}One of the biggest things Lynch has going in her favor is that she would replace controversial Attorney General Eric Holder, who has had a testy relationship with Republicans.

But many GOP lawmakers are concerned that she will push ahead implementing Obama’s controversial immigration actions.

Lynch cleared a Senate panel last month and is now waiting for a floor vote. http://j.mp/1CddnkP

Assuming Lynch receives universal support from Senate Democrats, she would need at least four Republican votes to be confirmed. That would lead to a tie, and Vice President Biden could break the stalemate.

It just so happens that exactly four Republicans have promised to vote for Lynch: Sens. Orrin Hatch (Utah), Jeff Flake (Ariz.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Susan Collins (Maine).

Barring any surprises, Lynch will likely be confirmed — the only question is when.

Meanwhile, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee will hold a hearing on Wednesday to discuss the latest chemical reform legislation.

Unveiled last week, the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act, introduced by Sens. Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and David Vitter (R-La.), would force the Environmental Protection Agency to base chemical safety decisions solely on considerations of risk to public health and the environment and eliminate the Toxic Substances Control Act’s “least burdensome” requirement for regulating a chemical, which prevented the EPA from banning asbestos.

And with the House back in session, the House Small Business Committee will hold a full committee hearing on Wednesday to discuss new challenges for small manufacturers.

Elsewhere, the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Energy and Environment Subcommittee will hold a hearing on the Improving Coal Combustion Residuals Regulation Act of 2015, which would give states the enforcement authority to implement the EPA’s coal ash standards.

Recent stories:

Schumer moves to ban powdered alcohol. http://bit.ly/1MybPoz

ATF shelves bullet ban proposal http://bit.ly/1D1eQvU

Dems push ATF to revive bullet ban http://bit.ly/1HMYWnM

Petition tells feds: ‘Hands off my hot dog’ http://bit.ly/1Fg6dx9

Senate bill would give military vets access to medical marijuana http://bit.ly/1wqJjkK

Legal pot? Not for federal workers http://bit.ly/18HgwwN

Boxer introduces her own chemical reform legislation http://bit.ly/1wAx312

Senators again targeted candy-coated drugs http://bit.ly/18fMwIF

FDA issues guidance for reusable medical devices linked to ‘superbugs’ http://bit.ly/1C9VlQk

Nuke regulator chided for safety ‘sluggishness’ http://bit.ly/1Aguo92

This story was updated on March 16 at 11:27 a.m.