Sen. Tommy Tuberville today said he is ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, clearing the way for hundreds to gain approval.
The Alabama senator’s blockade of hundreds of military promotions, which began in February, was over a dispute about a Pentagon policy allowing travel expenses for military members seeking abortions in states where it remains legal.
That policy is still in place as Tuberville backs down on the military holds.
Almost 400 military nominations have been in limbo due to Tuberville’s blanket hold on confirmations and promotions for senior military officers.
It’s a stance that has left key national security positions unfilled and military families with an uncertain path forward.
Tuberville said Tuesday he’s “not going to hold the promotions of these people any longer.”
He is allowing hundreds of promotions to move forward, while still holding out for individual votes on about a dozen four-star generals and admirals, according to The Wall Street Journal.
“I think about 440 of them, everybody but 10 or 11, four stars,” he told reporters.
“Across the Department of Defense, there will still be 14 nominees that will be held up,” USNI News reported.
According to The Hill, Tuberville is supporting an idea presented by Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) that would release all of his holds on military officers at the 3-star level and below. In recent weeks, Republicans in the Senate had grown more critical of the hold, saying it was affecting readiness.
“It was pretty much a draw. They didn’t get what they wanted, we didn’t get what we wanted. When they change the rules, it’s hard to win…It’s unfortunate the American people didn’t get a voice.”
Tuberville had announced a press conference related to the holds for 1:40 p.m. ET and then canceled it with no reason given, NBC News reported.
Tuberville has made several comments over the last few weeks about possible ways to end the blockade, while Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) promised to bring a resolution to the floor in coming weeks that would allow hundreds of promotions to proceed through a rule change.
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