Tuberville’s hold on military promotions endangers national security, according to Pentagon leaders.

Senator’s Protest on Military Promotions Affecting National Security, Says Defense Secretary

Indefinite Hold on Promotions

Senator Tommy Tuberville’s protest against the Department of Defense’s “reproductive health” policy is causing a significant impact on national security, according to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The senator’s indefinite hold on military promotions is affecting every theater, domain, and service, said Austin during a Senate panel on May 11.

Unsettling Effect on Readiness and Morale

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Gen. Mark Milley also expressed concern over the suspended promotions of officers, particularly three and four-star flag officers who are set to assume pivotal commands. The promotion hold is causing a significant degradation in readiness and morale, Milley told the Senate Appropriations Committee’s Defense Subcommittee.

Protest Against DOD’s Abortion Leave Policy

Tuberville has been blocking general and flag officer promotions for months to protest against the DOD’s policy that provides paid leave and travel expenses for service members who must travel to receive an abortion. The senator maintains that the policy violates the Hyde Amendment, which blocks federal money from being used for most abortions.

Impact on Military Nominations

The Senate normally confirms thousands of military nominations a year in rote mundane, unanimous votes. However, Tuberville is insisting they be viewed individually on the Senate floor, causing needless, time-consuming distractions. According to the Pentagon, there are currently 196 military nominations pending in the Senate, including 64 three and four-star positions set to rotate within the next 120 days. In the next nine months, another 80 three and four-star promotions and rotations are scheduled, including for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force. That number could swell to more than 650 by this time next year, Milley said.

Bipartisan Criticism and Defense

Tuberville has endured bipartisan criticism for the holds, but several House Republicans and Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) have defended his stance. However, Senate appropriations panelists, including several Republicans, said they don’t see it that way. Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) called Tuberville’s holds “dumb and stupid” and “a gross politicization of the military.”

Policy Firmly Rooted in Law

Senator Patti Murray (D-Wash.) asked Austin to explain the policy that led to Tuberville’s protest. Austin said that 18 percent of those serving in active duty in the military are female and that the policy is firmly rooted in law.

Impact on Officers and Their Families

The promotion hold is affecting about 2,000 individual officers, including those down the chain of command fostered by one officer’s advancement. Most of these officers are married and probably have children, so at least another 3,000 to 4,000 lives are among those that the delays are directly impacting, said Milley.