Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee joined GOP Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville late Thursday night to maintain a hold on military nominations in protest of the Pentagon’s radical abortion policy.
After the upper chamber approved a series of late-night proposals, including a last-minute measure to fund the government and avoid a shutdown, several Republicans led by Alaska Sen. Dan Sullivan stood up to circumvent Tuberville’s hold and confirm nominees. Sullivan was joined by GOP Sens. Joni Ernst of Iowa, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Todd Young of Indiana.
“We were down on the floor weeks ago, and at that time, we promised military members and their families that we had their back, that we would keep coming down to the Senate floor to try to move forward their nominations and confirmations that have been stalled,” Sullivan said. “Tonight, we’re going to bring up some more members.”
Sullivan slammed his Alabama colleague for jeopardizing military morale and readiness when overseas threats in China and the Middle East continue to raise the risk of global conflict.
“I wish we could resolve this,” Sullivan said. “I’m on the floor here more out of sadness and frustration than anger. I really do wish with my colleague, Senator Tuberville, we can find a way forward on this fast, to turn to the even bigger readiness problem.”
Lawmakers spent the next three hours trying to ram through stalled military promotions but were blocked by Lee, who chairs the Senate Steering Committee and spoke at length in
