Senate Republicans Revolt Against Tommy Tuberville’s Pentagon Blockade in Hourslong Standoff; Pro-life Groups Warn Senate Republicans Will Pay a Price for Breaking Tuberville’s Pentagon Blockade, and related stories

Senate Republicans revolt against Tommy Tuberville’s Pentagon blockade in hourslong standoff:

Frustrated Republican senators spent hours Wednesday evening on the chamber floor trying to confirm dozens of military officers up for promotions, escalating a monthslong feud with fellow Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville.

Several GOP senators took shifts over the course of more than four hours attempting to confirm 61 promotions one-by-one via unanimous consent, forcing Mr. Tuberville to remain on the Senate floor to object late into the night.

The tense episode underscored the mounting irritation — even among GOP colleagues — with Mr. Tuberville.

For nearly 10 months, the Alabama Republican has protested a Pentagon abortion policy by holding a blanket blockade against all military promotions — nearly 400 to date — that would otherwise be confirmed without fanfare.

The Republicans who called for the confirmations were visibly infuriated, with Sen. Dan Sullivan, Alaska Republican, at times shouting.

“This is not a joke,” said Mr. Sullivan, a colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. “You’re watching the experience of America’s greatest military generation since probably World War II flushing down river.”

Mr. Tuberville has said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer could sidestep his blockade by holding roll call votes on each nominee, a process that the New York Democrat has largely refused to use because it would eat up months of floor time. —>READ MORE HERE

Pro-life groups warn Senate Republicans will pay a price for breaking Tuberville’s Pentagon blockade:

Pro-life organizations are turning up the heat on Republican senators, warning them against joining forces with Democrats to override Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military promotions over the Pentagon’s abortion policy.

Advocacy groups tell The Washington Times they will brand every GOP senator as a supporter of taxpayer-funded abortion if they vote to circumvent the Alabama Republican’s blockade of nearly 400 promotions for military officers.

“They shouldn’t capitulate or surrender to the Biden administration,” said Family Research Council President Tony Perkins, who has privately urged Mr. Tuberville to stay the course. “Anything short of [not supporting Mr. Tuberville] is aligning with the Biden administration to promote taxpayer-funded access to abortion.” 

Kristan Hawkins, president of Students for Life America, declared the issue a litmus test for next year’s elections.

“Voters are watching this very closely, especially with Democratic control of the Senate, to see how Republicans are working together,” Ms. Hawkins said. “If Republicans want to earn the votes of Americans in 2024, they need to see Republicans standing together and standing strong.”

Anti-abortion groups’ increasing involvement in the Senate stalemate that’s dragged on for nearly 10 months intensifies the political ramifications for pro-life Republicans frustrated with Mr. Tuberville’s blanket hold.

Mr. Tuberville and pro-life organizations say the Pentagon policy of funding travel and expenses for service members who go to other states for abortions is illegal. The Department of Defense says it’s to ensure the battle readiness of service members.

The Democratic-led Senate will vote next week on a de facto temporary rule change to circumvent Mr. Tuberville and allow the confirmation of nominees en bloc. The measure will require 60 votes, meaning at least nine Republicans must break rank. The pro-life groups say they will score the vote to highlight to their supporters which side of the debate lawmakers land. —>READ MORE HERE

Follow links below to related stories:

Republicans, fed up with Tuberville, plot ways to bust his military blockade



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