The Senate Rules Committee of the United States voted along party lines on Tuesday to push forward a bill that would allow for the advancement of numerous military promotions that had been delayed by a Republican senator. The delay was a form of protest against the Defense Department’s abortion policy.
With a vote of 9-7, the committee agreed to submit the resolution to the full Senate for further consideration. However, there is uncertainty regarding whether the rule will be implemented, as Senate regulations dictate that it must receive 60 votes to proceed.
Senate Democrats introduced this legislation in response to the actions of Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville, who has been refusing to expedite the approval of most promotions for generals, admirals, and other high-ranking military officials since February. Tuberville’s protest is aimed at the Pentagon’s policy of covering abortion travel expenses for service members and their dependents.
The proposed resolution seeks to bypass Tuberville’s holds temporarily by allowing the Senate to simultaneously review multiple promotions that have already been approved by the Armed Services Committee.
According to Senate rules, a single lawmaker can obstruct nominations, even if the remaining 99 senators are in favor of expediting them. Tuberville’s actions have faced opposition from both Republicans and Democrats. Critics argue that he should focus his protest on nominees involved with policy decisions rather than penalizing deserving military personnel who have earned their promotions.
This is not the first time Tuberville has caused disruptions. Last summer, his actions resulted in the Marine Corps being without a commandant for the first time in over a century. In his most recent blockade, the senator objected to the promotions of 364 officers.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
