Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville didn’t escape criticism during Wednesday night’s GOP presidential debate.

On stage in Tuscaloosa, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie seemingly referenced Tuberville, referring to the Republican Senator’s recently abandoned block on military appointments.

“These jokers in Congress … they couldn’t promote someone in the military who earned their own rank,” Christie said.

READ MORE: Chris Christie likens Donald Trump to ‘Voldemort’ at Alabama GOP presidential debate

Tuberville announced last week he was ending the block on hundreds of military promotions he first began in February over a dispute about a Pentagon policy allowing travel expenses for military members seeking abortions in states where it remains legal. Since then, about 400 military nominations have been in limbo, prompting criticism from both Republicans and Democrats. Tuberville now supports a proposal that would release holds of military officials at the 3-star level and below.

Four GOP presidential hopefuls were in Tuscaloosa Wednesday – Christie, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy. GOP frontrunner Donald Trump did not appear at the debate and is at a fundraiser in Florida.