As U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville continues his holds on military promotions in the Senate, members of the Republican Party are divided over the issue.
Tuberville (R-Auburn) is still placing holds on Pentagon general and flag-officer promotions due to the Department of Defense’s decision to pay abortion-related expenses for servicemembers.
My hold is not affecting readiness.
Acting officials are in place—and no jobs are unfilled.
The only job not being done effectively is Commander-in-Chief.https://t.co/dWY3T5WVI5
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) September 11, 2023
Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union,” the Republican chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee criticized Tuberville for hurting national security.
“The idea that one man in the Senate can hold this up for months, I understand maybe promotions, but nominations, is paralyzing the Department of Defense,” said U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). “I think that is a national security problem and a national security issue.
“But to hold up the top brass from being promoted, and lower brass, I think is paralyzing our Department of Defense.”
U.S. Rep. Josh Brecheen disagreed with McCaul’s assessment, and posted his support for Tuberville on social media.
“[Tuberville] is taking fire from all sides for doing the right thing and demanding that we keep woke politics out of our military,” Brecheen (R-Okla.) said. “Conservatives must stand with Senator Tuberville and defend Life!”
.@SenTuberville is taking fire from all sides for doing the right thing and demanding that we keep woke politics out of our military.
Conservatives must stand with Senator Tuberville and defend Life!
— Congressman Josh Brecheen (@RepBrecheen) September 12, 2023
Tuberville also received some support from his Republican Senate colleague from North Carolina.
“Let’s just remember that Senator Schumer can bring all these wonderful nominees, highly qualified nominees, to the floor for a vote,” U.S. Sen. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) said. “Other than being here having this discussion, it’s an important discussion, we could be here voting and moving these nominees through.”
Budd also pointed the blame toward the Biden administration for starting the issue.
“Also (Defense) Secretary (Lloyd) Austin could change this with a stroke of a pen,” he continued. “By this afternoon, we could have this resolved if Secretary Austin would revert to the historical policy that we’ve had for decades.”
Thank you, @SenTedBuddNC. pic.twitter.com/VBRbYtulbc
— Coach Tommy Tuberville (@SenTuberville) September 12, 2023
Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on Twitter @Yaffee