
Even in light of Hamas’ devastating attack on Israel, a close ally of the United States, Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has maintained his months-long ban on hundreds of military promotions, according to his office.
“It is obvious that the Pentagon values forcing taxpayers to fund abortions more than confirming their top nominees without a vote. By abandoning their unlawful and immoral stance, they could put an end to this problem TODAY and quickly confirm everyone, but they choose not to, according to Tuberville spokesperson Steve Stafford in a statement to NBC News. “Senate Democrats can file a cloture petition to force a vote if the Biden administration wants its nominees to be confirmed, as Coach just did in September.”
Politico was the first to break the story. “Coach” alludes to Tuberville’s prior experience coaching college football.
The continuous conflict between Hamas and Israel over the weekend has resulted in hundreds of deaths, and Hamas fighters have also kidnapped a number of civilians and soldiers. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on Sunday’s episode of NBC News’ “Meet the Press” that the State Department is attempting to confirm reports that Americans were killed and held captive.
Israel is supported by the Biden administration, according to statements. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin declared on Sunday that the U.S. military has moved an aircraft carrier strike group as well as military aircraft toward Israel as a show of support as well as that it will also give Israel ammunition and other supplies as soon as possible as the conflict enters its second day.
At least 300 military nominees have been blocked by Tuberville, including senior officers who would lead forces in the Middle East. He said that his initiative was made in opposition to a Defense Department regulation that grants time off and financial aid to service members and their families traveling out of state for abortions.
Democrats and the White House criticized Tuberville’s use of a legal strategy to delay the confirmation of military personnel as a danger to the military’s readiness. Although he cannot actually stop the Senate from processing any promotion, his hold has significantly slowed down what would normally be a vote-free procedure.
According to Tuberville and other Republicans, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., could call each of the numerous nominations for a separate vote, a process that would require countless hours of floor time.
The Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., the nation’s top military official, Gen. Randy George, the Army chief of staff, and Gen. Eric Smith, the commandant of the Marine Corps, were the first military nominees the Senate confirmed last month using that strategy.
President Joe Biden nominated Brown, and four months later, he received a vote of approval. Army Gen. Mark Milley’s term is coming to an end this month, and Brown will take his place.
All 100 senators would need to agree in order to speed up the confirmation process and confirm the nominees all at once, which is not possible unless Tuberville releases his control over the Defense Department’s abortion policy.
The Senate might also decide to alter the rules and make a one-time exception in order to circumvent Tuberville’s obstruction. That would require 67 votes or two-thirds of the Senate, and it’s uncertain whether that would occur.
An inquiry for comment was not immediately answered by Schumer’s office.