Tuberville insists on maintaining holds despite Israel conflict, denies undermining military readiness

By Better Today On Oct 29, 2023

TL/DR –

Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has been blocking military promotions for nine months over a Department of Defense policy that reimburses travel costs for military members requiring reproductive care outside their stationed state. A proposal is being considered to change the Senate’s rules to allow en masse votes on many of the nominations. Tuberville’s hold is impacting senior military posts, especially in the Middle East, with the Pentagon and the White House arguing that it affects readiness, although Tuberville refutes this claim.

Sen. Tuberville Slams Proposal to Change Senate Rules, Stalls Military Promotions

Sen. Tommy Tuberville has criticized a proposal to alter Senate rules to expedite numerous military nominations, accusing the White House and Senate Democrats of refusing to negotiate.

“They would rather burn down the Senate than negotiate,” Tuberville stated. This new plan would require the support of all Senate Democrats and nine Republicans but would exclude specific high-level military promotions. The proposal could be reviewed by the Senate Rules Committee this week.

The Republican Senator from Alabama has been stalling military promotions since February due to a Department of Defense policy that funds travel for military members needing reproductive care outside their stationed state.

Tuberville, although not offering specifics, stated that his holds are not impacting readiness – a point contested by the Pentagon and the White House. He added, “If I thought this was happening, I wouldn’t be doing this.”

These holds are impacting key military posts in the Middle East, affecting the US’s response to the ongoing crisis in Israel and Gaza and recent attacks on coalition bases.

Several significant positions, including the deputy commanders of the 5th Fleet and US Air Forces Central, are affected by Tuberville’s actions. The hold has been described as damaging US interests by the secretaries for the Army and Air Force alongside the Navy Secretary.

On talks with the White House for a resolution, Tuberville claimed, “No conversation. Nobody wants to negotiate.” He also expressed doubt that Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, an Arizona Independent, would support the proposed rule change after a 30-minute discussion.

Despite the hold, the Senate can still approve individual military promotions but cannot expedite hundreds of promotions simultaneously as a time-saving measure.