VoteVets, an advocacy organization focusing on veterans’ issues, remains furious with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) for his relentless objections to the confirmations of top military officials that have threatened the effective execution of hundreds of powerful positions across the U.S. defense apparatus.
Tuberville has made these objections, upending what’s often a routine process, in protest of support that’s been made available at the Defense Department for personnel seeking an abortion. Publicly available details indicate the department is not directly funding these abortions, instead providing travel support and related backing to individuals who may need it as Republican-led states run even further with their jurisdiction-wide bans enabled by the Supreme Court’s maneuvers. Roughly similar benefits are often available to employees at large American companies. Should members of the military just expect a lower standard of health coverage than what’s available in the private sector?
“I didn’t start this,” Tuberville claimed. “@POTUS injected politics into our military and imposed taxpayer funding of abortion that nobody voted for. I am trying to get politics OUT of the military.” “This is a lie. And another lie. Followed by another lie,” VoteVets replied on Twitter.
The organization also released a video ad that it said would be distributed in Alabama and targets the controversial Republican for upending military readiness. Though these positions can often be filled on what’s known as an acting basis in the absence of a Senate-approved occupant, acting leaders don’t necessarily have the same powers as normal.
“Our enemies are watching, looking for any vulnerabilities to exploit,” the ad said. “And Senator Tommy Tuberville is playing right into their hands, playing political games with our national security.” Tuberville has consistently faced criticism, including occasionally from inside the GOP and from voices in the Senate like Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), who’s a veteran.
This is a lie. And another lie. Followed by another lie. https://t.co/ROfZmfywBB
— VoteVets (@votevets) July 17, 2023
🚨New statewide ad buy in Alabama by VoteVets!🚨@SenTuberville is blocking military promotions and jeopardizing our nation’s security, putting our Troops and EVERY American at risk!! We’re calling him out.
Senator, STOP playing politics with national security! pic.twitter.com/1rFqKD3wcR
— VoteVets (@votevets) July 18, 2023
