Republican Senator’s Blockade of Military Promotions Causes Concern for U.S. Armed Forces
WASHINGTON, July 11 (Reuters) – General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., President Joe Biden’s nominee for the top U.S. general, expressed concern on Tuesday about the potential consequences of a Republican senator’s blockade on military promotions. Brown, the outgoing Air Force chief of staff, warned that this obstruction could have a significant impact on the U.S. armed forces, affecting both servicemen and their families.
The issue arose during Brown’s Senate confirmation hearing to become the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has utilized a Senate procedure to halt the progression of hundreds of military nominations. Tuberville’s hold is in response to his belief that the Pentagon is misusing government funding to cover travel expenses for abortions for service members and their dependents.
An aide to Tuberville confirmed that this blockade would also apply to Brown’s nomination. As a result, the military has been faced with the challenge of rearranging personnel to fill a critical leadership position. On Monday, the commandant of the Marine Corps stepped down after the conclusion of his four-year term, leaving the Marine Corps without a confirmed leader in this role for the first time in over a century, according to the Pentagon.
Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Elizabeth Warren, criticized Tuberville’s actions as punishing military leaders who bear no responsibility for the abortion travel policy that Tuberville is protesting. Warren warned that if Tuberville persists with his obstruction, it would effectively hold hostage 650 leaders who have dutifully served their country.
While Brown’s confirmation hearing covered several topics, including China, Russia, and Ukraine, the most contentious moments centered around culture war issues such as diversity and inclusion, the COVID-19 vaccine, and Tuberville’s stance on abortion. Republican Senator Eric Schmitt accused the military of engaging in “cultural Marxism” with regards to diversity recruitment goals. He questioned whether the Air Force had an excessive number of white officers.
Brown, the first Black service chief in the United States, clarified to the Senate committee that the Air Force’s recruitment goals simply aimed to reflect the diverse population of the country and did not impede anyone’s chances. The memorandum signed by Air Force leadership in August 2022 emphasized that merit would be the determining factor for entry into the Air Force.
The timing of the Senate vote on Brown’s nomination remains uncertain. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer called on top Republicans in the Senate to exert pressure on Tuberville to reverse his stance, emphasizing the risks it poses to military security.
If confirmed, Brown would become the second Black officer to serve as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following Colin Powell two decades ago. Known for his introverted nature, Brown’s experience includes overseeing coalition air operations against the Islamic State and commanding the U.S. Air Force in the Pacific from 2018 to 2020, providing him with insight into tensions with China’s rapidly growing military.
Committee members praised Brown’s extensive background, with Republican Senator Rick Scott referring to it as “stellar.”
Reporting by Phil Stewart and Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Katharine Jackson; Editing by Alistair Bell