Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said Sen. Tommy Tuberville‘s (R-AL) blocking of Pentagon nominations is “not a good look for Republicans.”
Tuberville has been stymieing nominations and promotions at the Pentagon in protest of its policy for footing the bill and allowing time off for servicewomen who pursue abortions, arguing the policy is immoral and an illegal expansion of its authority.
TUBERVILLE FOLLOWS THROUGH WITH THREAT TO BLOCK PENTAGON APPOINTMENTS FOLLOWING ABORTION ACCESS PUSH
“Not a good look for Republicans to be holding up promotions for key military leaders,” Schumer’s office told Politico Playbook.
Last month, Tuberville began blocking all civilian, flag, and general officer nominations as well as high-level promotions within the Pentagon. So far, he has bottlenecked over 150 Pentagon nominations in his protest and has shown no signs of backing down.
“What’s not a good look is the Biden administration politicizing our military and illegally turning the Pentagon into an abortion travel agency,” a Tuberville spokesperson shot back, per the report.
Traditionally, nominees are approved in batches without objections. Schumer is able to circumnavigate some of Tuberville’s blocks via additional procedural maneuverings, but that is a time-consuming endeavor.
Back in February, the Department of Defense implemented its policy of paying travel expenses for women who pursue abortions. The policy was announced last year and drew fierce opposition from Tuberville at the time.
“As I’ve stated, if Secretary Austin wants to change law, he should go through Congress. This is an illegal expansion of DoD authority and a gross misuse of taxpayer dollars — and I will hold him accountable. The American people want a military focused on national defense, not facilitating a progressive political agenda,” Tuberville warned last year.
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Among those blocked are five three-star generals or admirals who were set to get promotions, according to the report.
The Washington Examiner contacted spokespersons for Tuberville and Schumer for comment.
