Senate approves hundreds of military promotions after Republican senator ends blockade of nominees (UPDATE)

[Omaha Steve]

Last edited Tue Dec 5, 2023, 07:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: AP

By KEVIN FREKING
Updated 5:20 PM CST, December 5, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate in a single stroke Tuesday approved about 425 military promotions after Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama ended a monthslong blockade of nominations over his opposition to a Pentagon abortion policy.

Tuberville had been under pressure from members of both sides of the political aisle to end his holds as senators complained about the toll it was taking on service members and their families, and on military readiness.

President Joe Biden called the Senate’s action long overdue and said the military confirmations should never have been held up.

“In the end, this was all pointless. Senator Tuberville, and the Republicans who stood with him, needlessly hurt hundreds of servicemembers and military families and threatened our national security — all to push a partisan agenda. I hope no one forgets what he did,” Biden said in a statement released by the White House.


Original story below.

By KEVIN FREKING
Updated 12:56 PM CST, December 5, 2023

WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Tommy Tuberville announced on Tuesday that he’s ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, following heavy criticism from many of his colleagues in the Senate and clearing the way for hundreds to be approved.

Tuberville’s blockade of military promotions was over a dispute about a Pentagon abortion policy. The Alabama Republican said Tuesday he’s “not going to hold the promotions of these people any longer.”

Almost 400 military nominations have been in limbo due to Tuberville’s blanket hold on confirmations and promotions for senior military officers. It’s a stance that has left key national security positions unfilled and military families with an uncertain path forward.

Tuberville was blocking the nominations in opposition to new Pentagon rules that allow reimbursement for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. President Joe Biden’s administration instituted the new rules after the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to an abortion, and some states have limited or banned the procedure.




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/tuberville-senate-military-holds-b4d4fe19bada70a085208c9d82c35cb5

[cilla4progress]

1. Caver

[OMGWTF]

2. Tuba is still holding up 11 four-star general's promotions.

I guess he's still hopeful that if Shitler gets back in the White House, they will be replaced with his fascist stooges.

[Johnny2X2X]

12. That's exactly the way I see it.

They want to get military leaders who have sworn an oath to Trump rather than the Constitution.

[getagrip_already]

34. The senate can still move those....

Just have to do them one at a time, which is tedious and eats up the schedule.

Still, it can be done as long as it's a small number.

[PortTack]

37. Hopefully they will move forward with those as well.

[louis-t]

3. But he's holding out on the top level nominees.

Those will be the ones in charge when fuckface demands that the military stop all protests against him and throw all the 'colored folk' in prison.

[underpants]

4. I hope they make the Date of Rank back to what it should have been

A. Because they deserve it
B. and as a FU to Tuberville

[Sky Jewels]

5. Treasonous Traitorous Terrorist says what now?

This craven piece of crap needs to be beaten on the top nominees, as well. Surely there is some way for them to change the rules on this. It is beyond ridiculous that one asshole from the minority party can shut everything down in order to lay the groundwork for a coup d'etat.

[RussBLib]

8. I believe Schumer can bring them up one at a time.

...which should not take that long.

Could be wrong.

[Sky Jewels]

16. I sure hope so!

Enough is enough!

[AllyCat]

33. That was my understanding

[PortTack]

38. Yes, he can and should

[Jean Genie]

6. What a big boy it is!

Well done Tubby. Fuck you very much!

[snowybirdie]

7. Must have

Been a rather large campaign contribution.

[DBoon]

9. and how do Alabama voters feel about the blockade?

Do the folks back home support this?

[Joinfortmill]

10. I'd like to know what finally broke him

[jmowreader]

19. Several days ago Tuberville said the military was the weakest he'd ever seen

Most likely someone informed him he’s a big reason for that.

[ffr]

11. This makes me doubly happy. It's good news for America's military readiness and bad news for TFG

Because, now TFG cannot install his own cronies, should through some disastrous miracle he be re-elected or installed via GOP rat-fuckery in 2024.

Something's up with TFG. Must be news we're not hearing about. The abortion talking point was just a cover for something bigger, like coup 2.0 in 2025. I hope TRMS or some respectable journalistic team can find out what it was.

[Aristus]

32. Looks like he's still holding out on eleven of the higher-ups.

Still hoping to abet a military coup, I’m guessing.

[niyad]

13. I would really LOVE to find out who Traitor tubbi's paymaster is.

[RainCaster]

24. We know it's not Vlad...

Some fine conservative who must be talking to military contractors.

[Blue Owl]

14. That useless fucking asshole

[IbogaProject]

15. Time for recess appointments

I hope Schumer puts the Senate into recess over the holidays and Biden fills those 4 star w recess appointment promotions. I'm not sure if promotions can happen but maybe treat it as a vacancy at that rank.

[rurallib]

17. excellent idea!

[IbogaProject]

31. Here is some text from a government site

https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/essay/artII-S2-C3-1/ALDE_00001144/#:~:text=Article%20II%2C%20Section%202%2C%20Clause,End%20of%20their%20next%20Session.

[pazzyanne]

42. Makes good sense to me.

Go for it!

[marble falls]

18. I wonder how much Federal tax spending his fellow GOPers had to threaten to withhold from Alabama ...

... for him to get over himself?

[Quixote1818]

20. This is a relief. I was worried he was waiting for Trump

To get back in office.

[Lonestarblue]

22. So was I. This provides some relief, but the Senate needs to confirm those top 11 ASAP.

The idea of Trump winning the presidency is already enough to make me ill. The idea of him converting the military top brass to his personal army was just another load of worry.

[barbtries]

21. so what did he prove?

what did he accomplish?

i hate republicans

[Skittles]

25. what he proved is

some actions by repukes are too vile for even repukes to keep supporting

[Skittles]

23. repukes must have taken him to the woodshed

fuck that piece of shit

[nitpicked]

26. Hundreds of military nominees confirmed hours after Tuberville ended long blockade

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/hundreds-of-military-nominees-confirmed-hours-after-tuberville-ended-long-blockade/ar-AA1l2TTl?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=54d1e1b00d364531b7b358bc57a8dcb3&ei=16

Hundreds of military nominees were confirmed unanimously on the Senate floor Tuesday just hours after Alabama's Tommy Tuberville announced he was ending his hold on most promotions.

It took just a matter of minutes to push more than 400 nominees through, a long-awaited breakthrough after Tuberville's 10-month blockade over the Pentagon's abortion policies.

The Republican lawmaker earlier Tuesday told reporters he was lifting his hold on all positions except for four-star generals, clearing the way for many of stalled military appointments to be confirmed en bloc.

"I'm releasing everybody -- I've still got a hold on, I think, 11 four-star generals. Everybody else is completely released from me," Tuberville said. "Other than that, it's over."
(snip)

[Demovictory9]

27. Good

[rubbersole]

28. When it comes to Tubie...

..the douche doesn't fall far from the bag.

[Demovictory9]

29. ..

[niyad]

36. Sorry. As much as I hate the f'n, traitorous bastard, that video is from 2014,

when he coached a Cincinnati college team ( they lost that game).

[Demovictory9]

39. I know it's from 2014..just using it to embellishment of my feelings

[niyad]

43. Understood. I watch it occasionally, in fondest hopes for a repeat fall.

[Warpy]

30. Even Alabama deserves better

than some half witted, pigheaded resident of Florida carpetbagging himself into their election. He never should have been allowed on their ballot.

Maybe MIssissippi will take him. Nothing makes Alabama look modern and progressive like crossing over into Mississippi.

[LiberalFighter]

35. former Senator Claire McCaskill

Had a message for big ears Tuberville. She used football terms.

[mahina]

40. What did she say?

[pazzyanne]

41. About time!

So happy to see this! BUT, why the hold on eleven top generals? IMHO taking the top military leaders out of the mix is a stupid move and dangerous for the nation's safety!

[Calista241]

44. I think McConnell told Tuberville he'd lose his spot on the Armed Services Committee

if he didn't let the nominees proceed.

[Martin68]

45. Fucking Tuberville. We won't forget this, Tubby.