GOP Senators Push to Pass Military Nominees Delayed by Hold on Promotions
Republican Senator Dan Sullivan of Alaska was joined by his GOP colleagues Joni Ernst of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, Todd Young of Indiana, and Mitt Romney of Utah in the Senate chamber Wednesday night in an attempt to pass 115 top military nominees that had been delayed by fellow Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions over the Pentagon’s abortion policy.
During a four-hour session, the Republican senators read out the resumes of the nominees and argued that Tuberville’s hold harms military readiness, punishes officers who are not responsible for the policy, and sets a dangerous precedent in the Senate. They vowed to continue their efforts every night until the nominees are confirmed.
Sullivan, a member of the Armed Services committee and a former US Marine Corps colonel, emphasized the importance of having the most capable military leaders on the field, especially during a critical moment in global relations. He expressed his disagreement with the Pentagon’s policy but stressed the need to prioritize national security and military readiness.
Tuberville has been withholding military promotions since February due to a Department of Defense policy that reimburses travel costs for military members seeking reproductive care outside their stationed state. This policy was enacted after the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade. Sullivan described himself as “pro-life” but urged Tuberville to bring the nominees up for individual confirmation.
Senators argued that the nominees should not be punished for a policy they have no control over. They also criticized Tuberville’s tactics, stating that his holds were damaging the military’s effectiveness and that the nominees had been denied opportunities to move forward.
Tuberville defended his stance, claiming that his hold was not affecting readiness and that he would continue his actions until the Pentagon followed the law or the Democrats changed it. However, Graham and other senators disagreed, asserting that Tuberville’s hold was indeed harming the military.
The senators also expressed concerns about the precedent Tuberville’s actions could set, leading to increased gridlock and politicization of the military. Romney called Tuberville’s hold an abuse of the Senate’s powers, as it was affecting the careers of over 350 men and women in the military.
The push to pass the delayed military nominees reflects the growing frustration among senators over the hold on promotions, which they believe is unjustly punishing officers and undermining national security. The situation remains unresolved as senators continue to debate and advocate for the confirmation of these nominees.