Senate GOP leaders unable to get Tuberville to stop blocking Biden's military promotions

Senate Republicans appear stuck at least for another month with Alabama GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville's hold on hundreds of President Joe Biden's military appointments, which is creating political headwinds for them in a major election cycle.

As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Tuberville has been able to block a final confirmation vote on the appointees, essentially over the Pentagon's use of taxpayer funds for abortion-related services for military families.

The situation has left vacant some of the most important and high-ranking posts in the U.S. – including the U.S. Marine Corps, which is now without a permanent leader for the first time in over 150 years.

"It’s hung around for a while," South Dakota Sen. John Thune, the No,. 2 Senate Republican, said about the stalemate.

Thune said he supports Tuberville's goal but acknowledges a deal or compromise must be reached.

"There are conversations now going on, which is good, between [Tuberville] and the military and others," Thune said Sunday, according to The Hill newspaper.

He suggested negotiations will continue in August, but Congress is essentially out of session that month for summer recess. And its most pressing matter as this point will likely be passing a budget bill to avoid at partial government shutdown in September.

"We’ll have some time in August to work on a path forward, and hopefully we’ll find it," Thune said.

Over six months, Tuberville has prevented the Senate from confirming roughly 300 military promotions in protest of the Pentagon's policy.

By refusing to grant unanimous consent to approve nominees, Tuberville has been forcing the Senate to schedule hearings and votes for individual nominations, taking up floor time. 

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, has been trying to resolve the issue, Thune also said.

Tuberville said he discussed the matter with McConnell as recently as last week.

"At this point, everybody’s engaged trying to figure out how to solve this," Thune also said.

One anonymous Senate Republican told The Hill, "There’s not a lunch that goes by that we don’t talk about it," but added that there is "no chance of a resolution" coming soon.

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