Republican Senator Blocks Military Promotions Over Abortion Policy – The New York Times
WASHINGTON A Republican senator has single-handedly held up promotions for the militarys senior commanders at least through mid-April as he attempts to pressure the Pentagon to change a new abortion policy created to ensure access to abortions for service members after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.
The weekslong push by Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama, which is threatening to drag on into its third month after the senators left town on Thursday for a two-week holiday recess without resolving the matter, has prompted the first major clash of the new Congress over abortion access in the wake of the Supreme Court decision last year overturning abortion rights.
The Republican-led House passed a measure in January that would lay out criminal penalties for abortion doctors in some cases, but Democrats in the Senate, who control that chamber, have no intention of allowing the bill to be considered. Mr. Tubervilles move, by contrast, has forced a debate on abortion access to the forefront of the Senate agenda.
Mr. Tuberville, a right-wing freshman, began blocking the promotions of generals and admirals across the services in mid-February, after the Pentagon announced it wouldgive U.S. service members up to 21 days of leave for abortions or fertility treatments and reimburse travel and transportation costs incurred while obtaining such treatments.
The Pentagon created the policy in the wake of the Supreme Courts decision Dobbs v. Jackson Womens Health Organization last year, which overturned the precedent that enshrined abortion rights nationwide and gave rise to a national patchwork of laws. That left Americans including military personnel who are housed at bases throughout the country, sometimes with little control over where with unequal access to abortion.
Under the new policy, a service member living in a state where abortions are banned or severely restricted would have time off and reimbursement to travel to a place where the procedure is legal and accessible.
Mr. Tuberville, whose home state hosts six military installations and has laws banning abortion even in cases of rape or incest, has insisted that his objections have nothing to do with the Supreme Court decision to the access of abortion, but instead are about not forcing the taxpayers of this country to fund abortions.
The militarys health care plan covers abortions in cases of rape, incest or threat to the life of the mother, but under the new policy, service members would be able to request travel reimbursement for any reproductive health procedure, including those not covered under the official plan.
Yall got the American taxpayer on the hook to pay for travel and time off for elective abortions, Mr. Tuberville said to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing this week, arguing that thePentagons policy ran afoul of the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits spending federal dollars on abortions except in cases of rape, incest, or threat to the life of the mother. Congress will write the laws not the secretary of defense, not the Joint Chiefs.
The protracted impasse has left Democrats and some Republicans wringing their hands over the potential national security repercussions of leaving the senior ranks of the military susceptible to depletion by attrition until the Pentagon either capitulates to Mr. Tubervilles demands, or he is convinced to relent.
It may not be his intent, but he is effectively accomplishing what our adversaries could only dream of: denying our military of its leadership and degrading our ability to fight and win the nations wars, Senator Jack Reed, Democrat of Rhode Island and the Armed Services Committee chairman, said during a floor speech this week. He accused Mr. Tuberville of a profound assault on the professionalism of the men and women of the armed services.
Military promotions are not a political matter and they are not toys for political gains, Mr. Reed added.
He noted that Mr. Tubervilles blockade could affect not just the 150 to 200 pending nominations for generals and admirals, but potentially 650 more that are expected over the next eight months including a replacement for the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
If this policy continues or this practice continues, we are wiping out the leadership of the Department of Defense, Mr. Reed said.
Yet such arguments failed to sway Republicans, who argued that the burden was on Senate Democrats and the Pentagon to address Mr. Tubervilles concerns, even as some personally distanced themselves from his tactics.
What I dont understand is why it doesnt appear that anybody is reaching out to find a compromise with him, said Senator Mike Rounds of South Dakota, who sits on the Armed Services panel. The military should probably sit down and visit with the senator and find a path forward.
Senator Todd Young of Indiana, who served in the Navy and the Marines, said Mr. Tuberville was rightly using his power in the Senate to raise an important issue.
We shouldnt abuse that prerogative that we have to insist on votes and use this gratuitously and frequently, but in this case I think he has an important point on behalf of his constituents which is that he deserves a vote, Mr. Young said. Democrats, he added, should give him a vote. Why cant we go on record about this matter?
The most obvious forum for such a discussion would be during debate on the annual defense authorization bill, which frequently dictates policy changes that touch on matters of national political debate.
If he wants to put up an amendment into the N.D.A.A. to disallow this rule, then that is a path, said Senator Mazie Hirono of Hawaii, referring to the National Defense Authorization Act. I hope that at some point hell say, OK, I made my point.
But that debate is still months away, and for now, it appears Mr. Tuberville is digging in.
This has been a coordinated campaign to pressure me to lift these holds, Mr. Tuberville said on the floor this week. That doesnt bother me one bit, and it is not going to work.
On Thursday, the Senate passed a package approving the promotions of rank-and-file members of the armed services by unanimous consent. But Mr. Tubervilles hold means the Senate would be forced to go through the nominations he is blocking one by one, holding a series of votes on each in order to circumvent his objections. Democrats argued that such a path would be untenable, as it would probably consume months of floor time.
Mr. Tuberville also has defended his objections by arguing that Democrats have used a similar tactic in the past, such as when Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois blocked a similar cohort of nominations over concerns that then-Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, a key witness in the first impeachment of former president Donald J. Trump, would not be promoted. Her blockade lasted less than two weeks.
Yet Mr. Tubervilles stand over abortion policy comes at a time when Republicans have been jeering the military for policies that they deem to be too woke, decrying the Pentagons most senior leaders over efforts to tackle far-right extremism in the ranks and demanding that they account for reports of drag queen story hours at some installations. Democrats also argued that placating Mr. Tuberville would set a precedent encouraging other senators to use the perennial task of approving military promotions as a forum to grandstand for other political pet issues and called on Republican leaders to talk him down.
If one person plays this game, everyone is going to play this game, Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York and the majority leader, said Thursday. It is my view that sensible Republicans, maybe quietly, will go to Tuberville and say this is a real danger to American security and a loser for the Republican Party.
Link:
Republican Senator Blocks Military Promotions Over Abortion Policy - The New York Times
- Republicans plan to use threat of third Trump impeachment as key issue to boost their standing in midterm races - The Independent - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Are Already Giving Up Hope in This Key Election Race - The Daily Beast - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Some Virginia Republicans are facing off against familiar opponents this year and more headlines - Virginia Mercury - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans plan to use the threat of impeachment as a key midterm issue - NBC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- The state where immigration raids are becoming a problem for Republicans - Politico - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- UWEC professor that flipped over College Republicans table suspended for 1 academic year - WEAU - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- WATCH: Sen. Schiff Urges Senate Republicans to Reject Emil Boves Nomination, Warns of Threats to Rule of Law - Senator Schiff (.gov) - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Are Panicking Over the Virginia Governors Race - Politico - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Rely on Trumps Promises to Grease the Path for His Agenda - The New York Times - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Opinion | Republicans are adding health care taxes but not on the rich - The Washington Post - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans miffed as House bolts for recess while they stay behind - The Hill - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Wisconsin Republicans move to repeal Gov. Tony Evers 400-year school funding increase - WPR - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Rethink the Structure of College Athletics - Inside Higher Ed - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Full List of Republicans Who Voted to Subpoena Epstein Files from DOJ - Newsweek - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Republicans Call Medicaid Rife With Fraudsters. This Man Sees No Choice but To Break the Rules. - KFF Health News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- House Republicans head home for recess, sure to face Epstein questions when they get there - ABC News - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Newt Gingrich predicts a big win for Republicans in the midterms if they continue to communicate - Fox Business - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- Perry one of 3 Republicans to call for subpoena of Epstein files from Justice Department - York Dispatch - July 24th, 2025 [July 24th, 2025]
- How much do Republicans care about the Epstein files? More than it might seem - CNN - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans mourn the passing of Sen. Bruce Anderson - Minnesota Senate Republicans - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans are ready to revive stalled health care legislation. Dems want the GOP to pay a price. - Politico - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Letters to the Editor: Republicans should be more concerned about their fiscal policies than the woke left - Los Angeles Times - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- North Texas Republicans gather for 'Red Rally' ahead of special session - Spectrum News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Senate Republicans Abandon All Integrity in Judicial Nomination Vote - Alliance for Justice - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Analysis: Ohio Republicans warned against out-of-state special interests. Then gifted $600M to one - Ohio Capital Journal - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Republicans break down billions in ICE funding in Trump's 'big, beautiful bill' - Fox News - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- Press Release: Hakeem Jeffries Criticizes House Republicans' "One Big Ugly Bill" as Costly and Ineffective - Quiver Quantitative - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- House Republicans know that @RepGarbarino will serve as a steady hand at the helm of the House Homeland Security Committee as Congressional... - July 22nd, 2025 [July 22nd, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - MPR News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans food aid cuts will hit grocers in many towns that backed Trump - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans aim to redraw House districts at Trumps urging, but theres a risk - AP News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Hill Republicans brace for another grueling fight over Trumps spending cuts - Politico - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - El Paso Inc. - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Norwalk Hour - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- The 2026 Senate map is tough for Democrats, but Republicans have their own headaches - Bay to Bay News - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- What Republicans think of Musk and Trump after Musk's acrimonious exit from the administration - YouGov - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Ron Johnson, Wisconsin Republicans at odds with Trump over release of Epstein case documents - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Georgia Republicans Have Gone Full Knives Out - Bloomberg.com - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Republicans are trying to pull Pat Dugan back into the District Attorney race - Billy Penn at WHYY - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- Trump backs Texas plan to redraw voting maps to benefit House Republicans - Reuters - July 20th, 2025 [July 20th, 2025]
- 'Long overdue': Senate Republicans ram through Trump's clawback package with cuts to foreign aid, NPR - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Senate Judiciary Committee Republicans advance nomination of former Trump lawyer Emil Bove as Democrats walk out - CNN - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Governor Hochul Convenes Cabinet Meeting on Devastating Impacts of Republicans Big Ugly Bill on New York State - Governor Kathy Hochul (.gov) - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump blasts 'stupid' and 'foolish' Republicans amid calls to reveal more Epstein files - ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- A risky bet? Texas Republicans poised to redraw congressional map on Trumps orders - The Guardian - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans to tee up House vote on Epstein resolution - The Hill - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans are split over the Trump administrations handling of Epstein files - Politico - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans Fretted Over Ceding Spending Power to Trump. Then They Voted to Do It. - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- These are the Republicans who voted against Trump's $9 billion clawback of foreign aid, NPR funding - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans Introduce Bill to Revoke the Charter of Largest US Teachers Union - Truthout - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Trump pushes Texas Republicans to redraw congressional maps to help defend GOP's House majority - Fox News - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Is This Restaurant the Only Thing Democrats and Republicans Agree On? - The New York Times - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Youre Irrelevant: House Republicans Roll Their Eyes at the Freedom Caucus - NOTUS - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Republicans plow ahead on cuts to PBS and foreign aid - Axios - July 18th, 2025 [July 18th, 2025]
- Susan Collins finally got her dream job. Fellow Republicans are making it a nightmare. - Politico - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans in Congress Shift to Backing Ukraine, Matching Trumps Reversal - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- House Speaker Johnson joins growing number of Republicans pressing Trump administration for more transparency on Epstein case - CNN - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Trump tells Texas Republicans to redraw the state congressional map to help keep House majority - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Behind Republicans Risky Bid to Draw Themselves Five More Seats in Texas - Cook Political Report - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- A closer look at where Senate Republicans stand on Trumps rescission request - PBS - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans narrowly advance Trump's $9 billion spending cut package - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- House Republicans block Democratic maneuver to force release of Epstein files - Axios - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- For Some Republicans, Trumps Shift on Epstein Is Just the Latest Breach - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans race to slash $9bn for public broadcasting and foreign aid - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans break with Trump on Epstein - The Washington Post - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans move to block Democratic effort to force release of Epstein files - The Guardian - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans renew a bid to remove noncitizens from the census tally behind voting maps - NPR - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- These Republicans Want More Details Over Handling of Epstein Files - Newsweek - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Opinion | Mamdani for Mayor (if You Want to Help the Republicans) - The New York Times - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans Proceed with Bill to Increase Energy Costs and Make Americans More Vulnerable to Nuclear Threats - House.gov - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Texas Redistricting Maneuver May Harm Republicans More Than It Helps - The American Prospect - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Texas Republicans Oldest Trick In The Book - split-ticket.org - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans in Congress break with Trump on his handling of the Epstein files - NBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans declared it crypto week in the House. Its not going as planned - AP News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans declared it crypto week in the House. Its not going as planned - WHEC.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Ohio House Republicans will try to override Gov. DeWine property tax vetoes - Ohio Capital Journal - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- 211 House Republicans Vote to Block Release of Epstein Files - The New Republic - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- NC Republicans in Congress respond to Gov. Stein's letter on Trump budget - WRAL.com - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Senate Republicans divided over looming vote to rescind $9 billion in spending - The Spokesman-Review - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]
- Republicans confirm Whitney Hermandorfer, the first judge of Trumps second term - MSNBC News - July 16th, 2025 [July 16th, 2025]