Senate Democrats race to confirm remaining generals stalled by Sen. Tuberville before holidays

Senate Democrats are scrambling to confirm this week the remaining military promotions blocked by Sen. Tommy Tuberville before lawmakers head home Thursday for the rest of the year.

Second-ranking Senate Democrat Dick Durbin of Illinois told The Washington Times Tuesday that they plan to circumvent Mr. Tuberville’s continued blockade against roughly a dozen four-star generals by holding individual votes.

But Democrats will still need agreement from all senators to speed up the dayslong procedural process for each nominee and confirm them in time to depart Washington as scheduled.

Mr. Tuberville told The Times he will not object to fast-tracking the promotion confirmations, so long as roll call votes are taken.

The Senate’s Republican leadership also hopes to move expeditiously. 

“I hope we can confirm them before we leave,” said Sen. John Thune of South Dakota, the chamber’s second-ranking Republican. 

The Alabama Republican caved last week and dropped his hold over hundreds of military personnel below four stars, delivering the Pentagon a major win after a nearly year-long standoff over its abortion policy.

The Senate last week confirmed the vast majority of the more than 450 pending promotions that Mr. Tuberville had been blocking.

There remain at least 11 generals and admirals up for four-star positions, which Mr. Tuberville continues to block. They include the vice chiefs of the various services and the commanders of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, Northern Command, Space Command, and Cyber Command.

Mr. Tuberville relented amid mounting pressure from fellow Republicans, refusals by the Biden administration to alter its policy to fund out-of-state abortions for service members and a threat to temporarily alter Senate rules.

“When you change the rules, it’s hard to beat somebody,” the former Auburn University football coach said at the time. “I’d love to have five downs in football instead of four.”