Senate Democrats are taking action to confirm hundreds of military nominees by circumventing a blockade from Senator Tommy Tuberville regarding a Pentagon abortion policy. The Senate Rules Committee voted 9-7 in favor of a resolution that would enable the Senate to swiftly confirm groups of military nominees for the duration of the congressional term. Typically, the Senate confirms batches of military officers together, but a single senator’s objection can disrupt the process.
The resolution will now proceed to the Senate floor for a vote, where Democrats will require a minimum of nine Republican votes for it to pass. Although Republicans on the rules panel opposed the measure, citing concerns about potentially diminishing the powers of the Senate minority, some have indicated they may change their stance if Tuberville withdraws his objections.
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, who criticized Tuberville’s holds prior to the committee vote, stated that he would currently oppose the Democratic resolution. McConnell expressed disappointment, stating that Tuberville chose to exert his influence on career military officers who have no control over the current administration’s policy priorities.
Tuberville has expressed willingness to negotiate an end to his holds on nearly 400 military nominees, which he initially announced in February. However, he has yet to indicate whether he will drop them. Senate Republicans, frustrated with Tuberville’s actions, urged him to release the holds and confronted him on the Senate floor for over four hours. Despite calling up 61 military nominations, Tuberville consistently objected each time.
Tuberville is blocking the nominations in protest against new Pentagon regulations that provide reimbursement for travel expenses when a service member needs to travel out of state for an abortion or other reproductive care. President Joe Biden’s administration implemented these rules following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the nationwide right to an abortion, with some states restricting or prohibiting the procedure.
Senior military officials have repeatedly warned that Tuberville’s blockade jeopardizes readiness and national security. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has emphasized that the delays are impeding readiness and unnecessarily burdening military families, who already make significant sacrifices to support those in service.
