Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., said he will not back down from his hold on more than 250 military nominees, even as some of his fellow Senate Republicans are suggesting alternatives. Tuberville is protesting a Pentagon policy that provides paid time off and travel expenses for active duty members who get an abortion.
Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, proposed that Tuberville drop his hold in exchange for a vote on a bill that reverses the policy, but Tuberville said that is not an acceptable option.
“I’m not changing for a vote in committee or possibility that Schumer might put it on the floor or possibility that, that if it did pass, that the president wouldn’t sign it. I mean, makes no sense,” Sen. Tuberville told reporters.
The senator said he will keep this going as long as the Pentagon’s abortion policy remains in place.
“It’s not hurting readiness. That’s not a problem. I’ve talked to generals and admirals, all the jobs remain filled until somebody is promoted up,” Tuberville said.
But Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wrote a four page letter about the negative impacts on military readiness.
“The longer that this hold persists, the greater the risk the U.S. military runs in every theater, every domain, and every service,” Secretary Austin wrote.
“The senator from Alabama risks permanently injecting politics into the confirmation of routine military promotions. And that would risk our entire national security,” Sen. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said in March when there were 160 pending nominations.
“No, I don’t support putting a hold on military nominations. I don’t support that,” Sen. Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said May 10.
As of right now, there is no endgame. Tuberville said he will not relent unless the policy is changed. The Senate may still be able to approve some through a much lengthier and involved process.
