A third branch of the U.S. military will now be going without Senate-confirmed leadership amid a months-long series of objections from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). Tuberville has been making these objections, functionally debilitating the process of advancement for hundreds of military nominations including those replacing outgoing leaders, in protest of a Defense Department policy providing travel support to individuals seeking an abortion.
Americans now live with a patchwork of geographic access to abortion as Republican state officials have moved to lock down access to the procedure after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, and providing travel support for military personnel has been characterized as essentially a recruitment and retention issue, since individuals seeking an abortion and left without many viable options may leave the service — while those potentially in a similar position in the future may never join. At the U.S. Marines, Army, and Navy, the high-ranking officers who ordinarily serve as members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have all exited service without Senate-confirmed replacements ready because of Tuberville’s actions.
Responsibilities associated with these positions can still be completed by others on what’s known as an acting basis, but it’s not necessarily assured that acting officials can function with the same breadth of legal authority as an official confirmed by the Senate, and in general, Tuberville’s moves have saddled the military with new and continuing logistical challenges at the highest levels. “Tommy Tuberville’s reckless hold on military promotions is endangering our readiness and national security,” VoteVets, a progressive advocacy group representing veterans’ interests said after new developments. “Every day this continues, our safety is compromised. It’s time to put country over politics!”
Some of Tuberville’s opponents have also characterized his actions as negatively impacting the military families whose life plans were essentially put on hold or upended because of the personnel shuffling. Tuberville has insisted his actions are having no meaningful effect on the military’s functioning. He also once misstated the three branches of government, though he was elected to serve in one of them.
Tommy Tuberville’s reckless hold on military promotions is endangering our readiness and national security. Every day this continues, our safety is compromised. It’s time to put country over politics! pic.twitter.com/CAr0SwqvcW
— VoteVets (@votevets) August 14, 2023
