In a scathing speech Wednesday on the floor of the Senate, the chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee asked if Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville was trying to keep himself in the “spotlight” as his hold on military promotions has continued for more than six months.

“He has achieved what America’s enemies could only dream of – instability in the ranks of our military leadership,” said Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island.

Reed spoke for more than 16 minutes, alternately outlining problems created by Tuberville’s blocking of promotions while criticizing Tuberville for doing so. Reed also recounted opportunities offered Tuberville — who is also a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee — to end his block that have not yielded any resolution.

“At this point, one has to wonder if the senator actually wants to achieve his demands or if he just wants to stay in the spotlight,” Reed said.

Tuberville’s holds on military promotions is a protest over a Pentagon policy that provides travel expenses and paid leave to servicemembers to obtain an abortion. Tuberville has maintained that the policy is illegal – a perspective Reed addressed in his speech.

“The senator claims that the Pentagon reproductive health care policy is illegal,” Reed said. “He is wrong. The Department of Justice examined the Pentagon’s policy and found it to be entirely legal, consistent with 40 years of precedent through both Republican and Democratic administrations. No lawsuits have been filed against the department because no lawyer seriously believes the policy is illegal.”

A spokesman for Tuberville declined to comment on Reed’s speech.

A June 22 press release from the Justice Department said, “The Department of Defense may lawfully provide funds to enable servicemembers and their dependents to travel out of state for abortion care.”

Reed also called on Senate Republicans to convince Tuberville to lift his holds on promotions.

“My Republican colleagues must challenge their colleague do what they know is right,” Reed said. “They must say publicly what they admit many times in private: His behavior is damaging to our national security.”

Responding to a similar suggestion about GOP intervention last month by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Virginia, Tuberville on X, formerly known as Twitter, responded “Good luck.”

About 300 military promotions are frozen as a result of Tuberville’s hold. Among the frozen promotions are for the commandant of the Marines and, later this month, the chair of the joint chiefs of staff.

Tuberville has repeatedly maintained that military readiness is not affected by his holds. Seven former secretaries of defense representing both Democratic and Republican administrations have disagreed with that assessment.

Mark Milley, who will be required to retire as joint chiefs chairman later this month, said that Tuberville’s hold is affecting between 3,000-4,000 people – taking into account spouses and children. Reed said in his speech that military spouses are unable to accept new jobs and that children are caught between schools because of the uncertainty.

“The Senator claims that he is not harming military families,” Reed said. “And he knows that isn’t true.”

Regarding military families, Reed said that Tuberville is hurting those who least deserve it.

“The senator from Alabama knows that he has lost his argument on the merits,” Reed said. “He knows the policy he disagrees with is legal. He knows he has the legislative tools available to try and change the policy. But he also knows he likely does not have the votes to prevail. And so he has targeted the men and women of the military itself and their families. He knows the damage he is causing to our military families and our national security. It appears he simply does not care.”

Reed concluded his speech by again calling on Republicans to intervene. The top Republican in the Senate, Mitch McConnell, has said he does not support Tuberville’s holds.

“The question for the Senate — really for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle — is how long will a single senator to be allowed to cause such damage to our military?” Reed said. “When will my colleagues on the other side of the aisle speak out and act? Republicans must call out their colleague and end this shameful charade.”