Senator Tuberville Halts Military Nominations : Alabama Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville has not nominated a military candidate since February because he disagrees with the Pentagon’s abortion policy. This position has left hundreds of DoD senior positions unfilled, causing gaps in all five military branches.
The Pentagon pays for flights and offers staff abortion leave. However, Tuberville contends that this violates the Hyde Amendment from the 1970s. This legislation restricts federal funds for abortions, except for rape, incest, or endangerment of the mother’s life.
“I warned the Pentagon that I would hold their most senior nominees if they broke the law. They did it anyway and forced my hand,” Tuberville stated. He also asserted that the Biden administration and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer have avoided meaningful negotiations, causing a prolonged deadlock.
Notably, the senator’s stance impacted the nomination of Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr., who President Biden proposed to be the Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman. As of August 12, data obtained by The Washington Post revealed that 301 leadership positions in the DoD remained unoccupied. Experts suggest this figure could double by year’s end if the nomination hold persists.
In an escalation of his hold, Tuberville expressed “deep concerns” over the background of some of these nominees. He said the delay has enabled a more thorough review and shared plans to announce his opposition to specific nominations in the forthcoming weeks.
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One nominee under scrutiny is Col. Ben Jonsson. Tuberville’s office highlighted an op-ed by Jonsson from July 2020, where he discussed “white defensiveness” following George Floyd’s tragic death. Jonsson’s piece, published in the Air Force Times, recommended Robin DiAngelo‘s book “White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard for White People to Talk About Racism.” DiAngelo is known for advocating critical race theory.
Tuberville’s statement emphasized the seriousness of his concerns: “What we’re finding isn’t always pretty.” However, the initial spark for this standoff was the Pentagon’s abortion policy, which Tuberville feels breaches legal limits on using taxpayer money for abortion-related costs.
This deadlock’s context is particularly poignant as it follows the reversal of the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. In response to recent developments, Tuberville’s office told “Coach’s position has not changed. The hold will stay on as long as it takes.” They clarified that the senator would instantly lift the hold if the Biden administration ceases what he perceives as the “illegal use of taxpayer dollars to facilitate abortion.”
This situation underscores the complex political landscape in the U.S., where deeply ingrained beliefs and policies often collide. The standoff between Senator Tuberville and the Pentagon exemplifies how individual decisions can have cascading impacts on institutional functions. As the debate continues, the vacant positions in the DoD remain a concern for national security and military operations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Is Senator Tuberville on hold for the military?
In a recent development, Senator Tommy Tuberville from Alabama has declared that he will no longer block military promotions. As a result, over 400 military nominees were confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday. This decision marks the end of a prolonged campaign by the senator, who had been holding up the process for several months. With this announcement, the military can now move forward with its promotions without any further delays.
What military promotions require Senate approval?
Senate confirmation is required for military officers who are promoted to colonel (or captain in the Navy) in the Reserves. This leads to a large number of promotions that need to be confirmed by the Senate every year. However, these promotions are usually confirmed en masse without individual hearings.
What is Tommy Tuberville doing now?
Thomas Hawley Tuberville, born on September 18, 1954, is a former college football coach turned American politician. He currently holds the position of senior United States senator from Alabama, which he has held since 2021.