Senate Democrats Navigate Tuberville Obstruction: Senate Democrats are exploring a new strategy to overcome the hold placed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville on hundreds of military officers’ nominations. Tuberville has objected to these nominations for almost ten months, citing opposition to a Pentagon abortion policy. To bypass this, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is proposing a resolution allowing swift confirmation for the nearly 400 officers. This move aims to resolve the stalemate caused by Tuberville’s objections to the routine unanimous consent process for confirming nominations. Schumer is also pushing for confirmation votes on three top Pentagon officers affected by Tuberville’s holds.
These maneuvers in the Senate come at a time when both parties express growing frustration with Tuberville’s holds. Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan, a Republican, has gathered enough signatures to force a vote on certain nominations, indicating bipartisan discontent. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has criticized Tuberville’s holds, calling them a “bad idea” and attempting to persuade the Alabama Republican to express his opposition differently.
Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema are introducing a resolution to modify rules temporarily, allowing the Senate to pass multiple military nominations together until the end of this session of Congress next year. This resolution seeks to expedite the confirmation process, which Tuberville’s objections have hindered. However, Tuberville remains firm, stating there is “zero chance” he will drop the holds. The Democratic efforts to circumvent Tuberville’s holds follow the hospitalization of Gen. Eric Smith, the Marine Corps commandant, whose confirmation for the No. 2 job has been delayed by Tuberville.
ALSO READ: US Senate Drama: Alabama Senator Tuberville Hold on Military Promotions Sparks Rule Change
Schumer argues that Tuberville’s holds have led to avoidable emergencies, particularly concerning Smith’s sudden medical situation. Tuberville initially announced his holds in February, demanding an end to a Pentagon policy on funding travel for out-of-state abortions. Democrats had hoped to force Tuberville’s hand, but the ongoing stalemate has degraded military preparedness and impacted the careers of rising officers. As a response, Schumer’s proposed resolution aims to break the impasse and address the mounting frustrations surrounding the nominations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Did Senate Republicans try to overcome Sen Tommy Tuberville’s military holds?
Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) led Senate Republicans in attempting to approve multiple promotions for military officers. However, Tuberville blocked the efforts with his holds, which have spanned nearly eight months. The holds are in response to the Pentagon’s one-year-old policy that addresses the travel expenses of military personnel seeking abortion care.
What is the Senate Tuberville resolution?
Sponsored by U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Res. 444 would enable a bipartisan super-majority of 60 or more Senators to override Tuberville’s across-the-board block on military promotions. This resolution does not involve a rule change.
Which senator holds up military promotions?
The Alabama Republican recently lifted most of his holds on military nominees. In Washington, the Senate gave unanimous approval to the remaining service members whose promotions had been delayed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s protest against the Defense Department’s abortion policy.
What is Tuberville’s hold?
Tommy Tuberville blocked military promotions due to objections to Pentagon abortion policy. After relenting for most promotions, some generals were still affected for months.