A number one House Republican stated Sunday that Sen. Tommy Tuberville is “paralyzing the Department of Defense” along with his maintain on navy nominations and promotions in protest of the Pentagon’s abortion coverage.

Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Rep. Michael McCaul not solely criticized Mr. Tuberville but additionally took purpose at the concept any single senator can block Pentagon personnel strikes indefinitely.

“This is paralyzing the Department of Defense, the idea that one man in the Senate can hold this up for months,” stated Mr. McCaul, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “I understand promotions, but nominations is paralyzing the Department of Defense. I think that is a national security problem and a national security issue. I really wish he would reconsider this.”

Mr. Tuberville’s maintain is obstructing lots of of Pentagon nominees from Senate affirmation votes and is retaining different officers from being promoted. The tactic is affecting the best ranges of the navy, with companies such because the Marine Corps now being led by performing commanders somewhat than everlasting, Senate-confirmed officers.

The nomination of Air Force Gen. Charles Q. Brown, on observe to be the following chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff when present Chairman Army Gen. Mark A. Milley retires this month, may be held up.

Mr. Tuberville, Alabama Republican, is objecting to the Defense Department’s abortion coverage, which gives paid day off and monetary reimbursement for service members who journey out of state for abortions. It was applied final yr following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.

He argues that any Pentagon nominee can nonetheless be moved ahead by a person debate and ground vote, somewhat than the Senate’s conventional follow of advancing batches of nominees directly by a easy voice vote.

“If we’re not going to vote on taxpayer-funded abortion, then let’s vote on these nominees. Voting is our job. It’s not too much to ask of the United States Senate to do its job — to vote,” Mr. Tuberville stated on the Senate ground earlier this yr.

The Democrat-controlled Senate thus far has appeared unwilling to budge and alter its typical methodology of approving Pentagon nominees.

Amid the monthslong standoff, Pentagon officers have gotten extra direct of their criticism of Mr. Tuberville.

“America’s defenders need defending too. Six months & counting, the hold on America’s senior military has set a damaging precedent that will live long past any policy differences of today,” Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks stated in a social media put up final week. “This attempt to erode our military — a critical, apolitical pillar of our Republic — simply can’t be justified.”

In his CNN interview, Mr. McCaul urged that it’s as much as his occasion to achieve some form of take care of Mr. Tuberville. The Texas Republican stated the difficulty finally can be resolved as a part of negotiations over the National Defense Authorization Act, an annual invoice that units Pentagon funding ranges.

“I really wish he would reconsider this,” Mr. McCaul stated of Mr. Tuberville. “Because we’re working this issue out in the National Defense Authorization [Act]. We worked it out on the House side. We’re going to conference in the Senate. We’re going to work out this abortion issue. … But to hold up the top brass from being promoted, and lower brass, I think is paralyzing our Department of Defense.” 

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