Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) stood firm following yet another effort by Senate Democrats to overturn his protest blocking the appointment and promotion of military officers.
Sen. Michael Bennet (D-CO) made a seventh attempt to get Tuberville to lift his protest on Wednesday by calling for a vote by unanimous consent, but was unsuccessful when the Alabama Republican voiced his objection.
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“For 230 years, nobody in this chamber has done what the senator from Alabama is doing; put a hold on the military promotions that people in uniform, the flag officers of our Department of Defense, that ordinarily come through here in a customary way to get approved by the Senate, for obvious reasons, because we need them, they’re here there for our national security, they have sacrificed their entire adult lives,” Bennet said.
The Democratic senator then went on to center the argument on abortion at the forefront, a departure from some of his colleagues who have sought to make the issue about national security.
“What I would ask you to consider, please, is what Senator Tuberville will win if he wins? What will Senator Tuberville win if he wins?” he continued. “He will assure that women are going to be treated worse than men in the Department of Defense. He will assure that women will be treated differently, unequally, and unfairly because, unlike anyone else who needs a medical procedure, they will have to pay for their own travel. I think it’s really important for the American people to understand what’s at stake here.”
“This is not a game when all you’re talking about is whether we’re gonna have a country that discriminates against people,” Bennet added. “Or whether people are going to be treated equally.”
Bennet’s appeal didn’t change Tuberville’s mind, however, with the Republican senator touting progress in his protest, pointing to the House’s inclusion of a ban on funding for abortion in the National Defense Authorization Act.
“Senator Bennet, President Biden, and Secretary Austin need to realize this: I am not alone. Our team is building and growing,” he said.
Tuberville also spoke of his conversations with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, one last Thursday and one on Tuesday, which he described as “cordial,” but “short.” Tuberville said that the Pentagon has shown no sign of compromise, interpreting its message as “it’s their way or the highway.”
As more attention is drawn to the issue, partially due to President Joe Biden’s focus on it, more congressional Republicans have flocked to Tuberville’s side, with at least 14 senators voicing explicit support. On Wednesday, several members of the House Freedom Caucus sat behind Tuberville to show support.
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Some Republicans have come out against Tuberville, however, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), who has urged the Alabama Republican to cease his protest.
The Department of Defense held a briefing with lawmakers Wednesday morning, including with Tuberville, during which it expressed its displeasure with the protest and warned of adverse national security effects. The briefing was the first since Tuberville requested one at the beginning of his protest several months ago.
