Tommy Tuberville's Controversial Stance on Military Holds Ignites GOP Pressure
Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama is refusing to back down from his blockade of military nominees, despite a public pressure campaign from fellow Republicans. Tuberville compared the GOP push to the unsuccessful Democratic effort to force him to cave on the issue of the Pentagon's abortion policy. He wants the policy scrapped or negotiated with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Tuberville's nine-month hold is affecting nearly 400 military officials seeking Senate confirmation for their promotions. Republican senators are calling on Tuberville to relent, citing national security concerns, but he dismisses these concerns and argues that the military is functioning at a high readiness level. Senate Democrats are considering a temporary rules change to approve the nominations as a bloc, which would require the support of at least nine Republicans.