Tuberville is ending blockade of most military nominees, clearing way for hundreds to be approved
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama says he is ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, paving the way for approval of hundreds of military promotions
By means ofKEVIN FREKING Associated Press
December 5, 2023, 1:35 PM
FILE – Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, talks to reporters as he and other senators arrive at the chamber for votes, at the Capitol in Washington, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023. (AP Photo/J .Scott Applewhite, file)
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced Tuesday that he is ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions after heavy criticism from many of his Senate colleagues, paving the way for hundreds to be approved.
Tuberville's blockade of military promotions was the result of a dispute over the Pentagon's abortion policy. The Alabama Republican said Tuesday that he “will no longer hold back these people's promotions.”
Nearly 400 military nominations have remained in limbo due to Tuberville's blanket hold on confirmations and promotions for senior military officers. It's a position that has left key national security positions vacant and military families an uncertain path forward.
Tuberville blocked the nominations in violation of new Pentagon rules that allow reimbursement for travel when a service member must leave the state to obtain an abortion or other reproductive care. President Joe Biden's administration instituted the new rules after the Supreme Court struck down the nation's right to abortion, and some states restricted or banned the procedure.
Critics said Tuberville's anger was misplaced and that he blocked the promotions of people who had nothing to do with the policies he opposed.
“Why are we punishing American heroes who have nothing to do with the dispute?” said Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Alaska. “Remember, we oppose Biden's abortion travel policy, but why are we punishing people who have nothing to do with the dispute? dispute and if confirmed they can't solve it? No one has had an answer to that question, because there is no answer.”
