Alabama Sen. Katie Britt acted as an intermediary in bringing the impasse over Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s nine-month blockade of military promotions to an end Tuesday, according to a report.

Punchbowl News is reporting that Britt served as a conduit between Tuberville, his critics and members of the Republican leadership. The report cites “sources familiar with her role.”

“Britt, seen as a rising star in the Senate, made clear she wanted to show support for her fellow Alabamian while also working to resolve the impasse,” writes Andrew Desiderio.

Attempts to reach Britt for comment were not immediately successful.

Last month in Montgomery, Britt spoke about her concerns, saying, “First, we have to protect life.”

“I come from a military community,” Britt said on Nov. 3. “I am from Enterprise, right outside the gates of now Fort Novosel (previously Fort Rucker). So I have seen the importance of our service men and women and their families.

“So, it is a priority of mine, to figure out how we put them in the best place possible. So that means continuing the conversation within our conference, which is what I’m going to do to try to get a resolution and be able to get these people confirmed and make sure that we protect life. So, we’re working on that right now.”

Tuberville on Tuesday brought an end to the blockade, allowing roughly 440 promotions to proceed toward confirmation by the Senate.

“About damn time,” said Sen. Mark Kelly, an Arizona Democrat who is a former astronaut and Navy captain.

About 14 four-star officers’ promotions are still on hold. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., urged Tuberville to lift the holds on all the nominees, claiming the standstill “hurt America.”

Tuberville began the blockade back in February in response to the Pentagon’s policy of allowing travel expenses to military members seeking abortions in states where it remains legal. In recent weeks, Republicans in the Senate had grown more critical of the hold, saying it was affecting readiness.

Democrats were pushing for a rule change to allow the promotions to go forward in one block.

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) said the issue was beginning to roil the Republicans between those who supported Tuberville and others who were concerned at how the blockade was impacting morale.

“There were a number of people who were attacking those of us who were trying to find an actual solution… as not being conservative enough,” Ernst said. “We are some of the most pro-life senators. We were trying to find a way to reverse the policy and not impact our military readiness.

“That’s what bothered so many of us, is that we’re holding 450 (nominees) at this point that had nothing to do with the policy. Nobody can tell me that’s the right thing to do.”