Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) was praised by many of his colleagues for running a solo blockade on the Senate confirmation military promotions of hundreds of general and flag officers.
But according to the Washington Examiner, many of his colleagues, in private, have complained of the continued hold-up, which they say now has military readiness implications at a very delicate time.
The Examiner noted:
Republicans spent months defending Tuberville, in lockstep with his view that the department's policy, which pays for the travel of servicewomen seeking abortions, was unconstitutional. But in private, Tuberville's colleagues have fumed over his approach and the impact it is having on military readiness.
The situation has soured so much on the Republican side of the upper chamber that Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK) attempted to get the confirmations done via voice vote.
I'm hearing McConnell deputies and allies, including Lindsay Graham, Joni Ernst, Todd Young, and Dan Sullivan, told colleagues today they're planning an attack on Tommy Tuberville's hold on military promotions, modeled after Elizabeth Warren's attack a few months ago. Tuberville…
— Mollie (@MZHemingway) November 1, 2023
Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Todd Young (R-IN) joined them in calling up each confirmation and listening to their bios.
The efforts ultimately failed, as Tubervilled blocked each and every one. The Senate process requires unanimous votes, giving Tuberville the power to block every effort.
The Examiner added:
Republicans have spent months attempting to move Tuberville off his holds. They have proposed several off-ramps, most notably a vote to reverse the Pentagon policy. But Tuberville has not budged, insisting the department must drop its policy first.
Tuberville is not without his fans, though, as many conservatives across social media applauded his continued efforts to hamstring the Biden administration advancing the officers over the military abortion policy.
All by himself, @SenTuberville has managed to halt the Biden regime's placement of woke idiots into our military's highest ranks so, naturally, the worthless GOP led by Glitch McConnell are trying to stop him.
Call your GOP senator today to help Senator Tuberville!
— Emerald Robinson ✝️ (@EmeraldRobinson) November 2, 2023
Others agreed.
Tuberville is right.
When will these Republicans understand that the military today is not the military is 25 years ago? Every single general needs very close vetting. https://t.co/O6UI0Rwp1B
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) November 2, 2023
Democrats are reportedly planning an attempt to override Tuberville's blockade by using a procedure that would allow them to confirm the promotions in blocs.
Only time will tell if they're successful.
