Democrats Attempt Rule Change to Break Single Republican’s Blockade on Military Promotions

Senate Democrats in the Rules Committee passed—barely—a resolution which, if it survives the ensuing floor vote, will allow them to confirm some 300 crucial military promotions.

For more than nine months, Republican Senator of Alabama, Tommy Tuberville, has impeded the confirmation of some 300 crucial military appointments and promotions proposed by President Biden.

Tuberville’s stated reason for doing so is his objection to a Defense Department policy which allows soldiers to be reimbursed for travel if they need to seek an out-of-state abortion.

Though most Republicans oppose the policy, most are increasingly frustrated with Tuberville’s obstruction—especially when it has been deemed by veterans and national security experts from both parties as a threat to American security.

Despite a handful of them publicly rebuking Tuberville on the Senate floor weeks ago, the Alabama Republican has not relented.

The resolution which passed in the Rules Committee today is a potential game-changer proposed by Kyrsten Sinema, despite her infamously high threshold for painful obstructionism.

It would allow the Senate to confirm the President’s appointments and promotions without need for unanimous consent, overriding the objections of lone Senators like Tuberville.

The wrinkle in the Democrats’ plan, however, comes from Mitch McConnell. Despite the Minority Leader’s public opposition to Tuberville’s conduct, he was recently persuaded to vote against the resolution by hardliners such as Mike Lee, J.D. Vance, and Josh Hawley.

Citing “productive discussions,” McConnell says he opposes the procedural change—for now.

This makes it unlikely that the 50 Democrats will secure the 10 votes needed to pass the resolution on the Senate floor, though Majority Leader Chuck Schumer has publicly vowed to soon bring it to the Senate floor regardless.