A Senate panel on Tuesday approved a rule change to allow the Democratic-led chamber to confirm hundreds of military promotions at once, an unprecedented step taken to end Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s confirmation blockade to challenge the Pentagon’s abortion policies.
The Senate Rules and Administration Committee voted 9-7 along party lines to approve the temporary rules change to fast-track the promotions, which over the past 10 months has accumulated to some 450.
It now heads to the full chamber for consideration.
“The idea of blocking the confirmation of military officers in order to make a political statement — no matter how deeply felt — has long been considered unthinkable,” said Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, New York Democrat, who is a member of the panel. “There’s been a lot of negativity and dysfunction in the Senate these days, but Sen. Tuberville has single-handedly brought the Senate to a new low.”
The legislation will require 60 votes to pass, meaning at least nine Republicans must support it. It’s a tall order, despite frustration with the blockade among some party members, including Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky.
No GOP senators have said they’re willing to circumvent Mr. Tuberville via legislation that they argue sets a bad precedent, even though some accuse him of jeopardizing national security.
“Ultimately, the best path forward for everyone involved will be one that allows us to clear the nominations backlog and preserve our substantive opposition to the Biden administration’s atrocious policy,” said Mr. McConnell, who is on the rules committee. “I appreciate the work put into the standing order proposal that the committee is considering, but I’m going to oppose going that route at this particular moment,” he said.
Mr. Tuberville is blocking the promotions to protest the Pentagon providing service members paid time off and travel expenses for crossing state lines to get abortions. Mr. Tuberville and Republicans say the policy amounts to taxpayer-funded abortions and is unconstitutional.
The new rule was crafted by Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed, Rhode Island Democrat, and independent Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, who caucuses with Democrats. If passed, it would confirm all pending Pentagon nominations, in addition to preventing any one senator’s ability through the end of the current Congress from issuing a blanket hold on military nominees.
Mr. Schumer said he wants to put frustrated Senate Republicans on the spot by holding a floor vote as soon as possible, which won’t happen until the end of November after lawmakers return from Thanksgiving recess.
Republicans have lobbied Mr. Tuberville to drop his blockade. He is weighing several options to avoid the rule change vote, such as finding a middle ground with the Pentagon in exchange for lifting some of his holds. He is also considering legal action.
“Hopefully, I’ve got something that will rectify the whole situation before it does come to the floor,” Mr. Tuberville told reporters.
• Ramsey Touchberry can be reached at rtouchberry@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.