U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has been at the forefront of an effort in recent weeks to stonewall certain military nominations in order to bring attention to a prevailing leftist social agenda within the Pentagon.
Specifically, he has expressed opposition to a policy that reimburses service members for travel expenses when traveling to other states to receive an abortion.
While members of both parties have used similar leverage to force policy changes in the past, Tuberville’s actions have sparked acute criticism from fellow lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Nevertheless, the Alabama Republican has continued to maintain his line in the sand and asserted that the American people appear to be largely on his side.
“I didn’t have one negative comment from anybody,” he said of a six-state tour he took during the August recess. “I had questions, but I didn’t have any negative comments.”
Over the weekend, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) made a move of his own to approve existing nominations for military promotions based on a vote of unanimous consent, thus bypassing Tuberville’s strategy.
Military Promotions Confirmed by Unanimous Consent: All nominations on the Secretary's Desk in the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and Navy.
— Senate Press Gallery (@SenatePress) October 1, 2023
Prior to Schumer’s action on Saturday, Tuberville reiterated his dedication to the cause and signaled that he would maintain his position for another year if he did not receive the concessions he demanded.
“They have not been told no for three years since Biden’s taken office and Schumer has been the leader,” he said in reference to Democrats in the chamber. “But that being said, they got to learn how to take no, because I’ve not changed my mind.”
Other Republicans have voiced opposition to the military abortion policy and the House approved a measure to overturn it, though the proposal stood virtually no chance of passing in the Democratic-controlled Senate.
In July, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth reacted to Tuberville’s stance and the backlash from other Republicans by digging into the established military position.
“I see this, and I think [Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin] does as well, as taking care of our soldiers, and it’s the right thing to do, and I don’t think we’re going to change it,” she said.
