Schumer plans military promotion votes after months of Tubervilleâs holds: âWe are ready to end thisâ
The U.S. Senate could vote on military promotions as early as Wednesday afternoon, after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer set in motion individual votes on several outstanding top military positions.
Schumer’s action came after Sen. Tommy Tuberville moved to force a vote Wednesday on Marine Commandant nominee Gen. Eric M. Smith.
Schumer’s move would also apply to promotions of Joint Chiefs Chairman nominee Gen. “CQ” Brown and Randy George, nominated to be Army chief of staff, ABC News reported.
It’s the latest volley in the ongoing stalemate which has held up more than 300 military promotions since February – blocked by Tuberville in his fight to reverse a Pentagon policy regarding abortions.
Tuberville has no plans to release his freeze on nominees. However, Tuberville did move to bring a few individual positions for a vote, as the Army, Marine Corps and Navy are all without Senate-confirmed leaders due to the senator’s hold.
Tuberville opposes the Department of Defense policy that grants leave and travel allowances for service members seeking reproductive care not covered by the federal government.
In floor remarks Wednesday, Schumer said the Senate is “confronting his obstruction head on,” CNN reports. But by threatening to begin procedural steps on military nominations himself, Tuberville forced Schumer’s hand.
“While we Democrats did not choose this fight, we are ready to end this sooner rather than later,” Schumer said, according to CSPAN.
Schumer warned colleagues to expect votes through the weekend on the nominations.
“It’s not the path the vast majority of senators on either side of the aisle want to go down, but Senator Tuberville is forcing us to confront his obstruction head on,” Schumer said.
Schumer said votes could happen on all nominees this afternoon. But if Tuberville does not consent to a streamlined vote, senators should expect votes on Friday, and possibly Saturday.
Schumer warned the fight could set a dangerous precedent.
“The Senate runs on unanimous consent, and we depend on each other to ensure this institution functions smoothly,” Schumer said. “If everyone objected to everything, to get leverage for their pet priorities, it will grind this body to a halt.”