Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) said he is unlikely to budge on his hold on top military promotions and nominations before the five-week August Senate recess.
He also suggested that the Biden administration has not seriously addressed the standoff. “I’ve had almost zero communication with the White House,” he said.
The Senate approves thousands of civilian and military nominations annually. The process is normally conducted through unanimous consent.
Mr. Tuberville has blocked hundreds of promotions and nominations because he objects to the Pentagon’s new abortion policy, which, in part, allows for taxpayer-funded paid leave and reimbursements for service members who travel across state lines for an abortion.
He also objects the manner in which the policy was implemented—not via Congress. Mr. Tuberville has said Congress should pass a law if taxpayers’ money is to be used for abortions.
The lone senator has also argued that federal funding should not cover abortion procedures except in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is at risk. This is currently provided under the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for most abortions except for the aforementioned circumstances.
Hundreds of Promotions Halted
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin directed the creation of the memo (pdf), which was announced on Oct. 20, 2022. It outlines the policy that gives 21 days of paid leave for military members who want to get an abortion or accompany a spouse or other dependent to get one. The policy also reimburses travel costs for people who can’t get an abortion locally due to state restrictions.On July 22, Mr. Tuberville wrote on Twitter: “An unprecedented change to the military’s abortion policy ought to go before the people’s elected representatives in Congress. No matter what Democrats say, I’m going to keep my word.”
Mr. Tuberville has pledged to end his holdout if he is granted a vote in the Senate on the Pentagon’s abortion policy.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said if Mr. Tuberville and other GOP senators want a vote on DOD abortion policy, the Democrats would not oppose it.
“If he wants to have an affirmative vote, we would not object to it. Tuberville said he wanted a vote, we’ll see what happens,” Mr. Schumer told NBC News.
Republicans Support, Democrats Oppose
Mr. Tuberville’s remarks on Tuesday come a day after eight Senate Armed Services Committee members—seven Democrats and one independent—urged Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to persuade Mr. Tuberville, who is also a member of the Armed Services Committee, to end his holdout.The eight senators said in a letter to Mr. McConnell they had “deep concern” for the stability of the Armed Services and national security, and wanted to protect the military’s readiness.
“In the coming months, more than half of the current Joint Chiefs are required to vacate their posts, and due to Senator Tuberville’s stonewalling, they’ll do so without a Senate-approved successor in place,” the senators wrote in their letter to Mr. McConnell.
“During this time of heightened global tensions, failing to fill these critical positions is not only imprudent but risks our national security.”
They also said that Mr. Tuberville’s holdout is “reckless, dangerous, and must end.”
Mr. McConnell had previously indicated he does not support Tuberville’s hold on the military promotions and nominations.
Other prominent Republicans who support Mr. Tuberville’s position are Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah), and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.