Democrats are criticizing Sen. Tommy Tuberville for blocking hundreds of military promotions over a Pentagon abortion policy.
Tuberville’s hold on over 250 general and flag officer confirmations has left the Marine Corps without a confirmed leader for the first time in 164 years.
“We are very soon not going to have a chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or a chief of Naval Operations,” national security adviser Jake Sullivan told ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday. “This is making America less safe. And why? Because of the attempt to score domestic political points. It’s just got to stop.”
Tuberville’s blockade is in response to a Pentagon policy that provides paid leave and travel reimbursement for service members who need to cross state lines to receive reproductive health care, including abortions. The Defense Department enacted the policy after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Tuberville’s blockade is “more than a political stunt,” Sen. Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) said on MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show.” The senator, who serves on the Armed Services and Veterans’ Affairs committees, said the Republican’s move is “jeopardizing national security.”
Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), a veteran, wrote on Friday for MSNBC.com that the Senate “has been failing our troops and military families” thanks to “one man who has never served in uniform a day in his life.”
“This ploy is shameful and disgraceful; misogynistic and sadistic; self-interested yet self-defeating,” she continued. “In other words, it’s a perfect snapshot of today’s GOP.”
Tuberville said he would allow the promotions to advance if the Pentagon drops the policy, or if Democrats hold a vote on legislation to end the policy. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he FOLLOW US ON GOOGLE NEWS