Senate confirms more than 400 military promotions after Tuberville loosens hold

The Alabama Republican had, for months, held up most military nominations to protest the Department of Defense's policy of providing paid leave to military servicemembers.

Published: December 5, 2023 6:11pm

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the promotions of more than 400 military nominees after Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville the same day announced he would drop his longstanding holds for Pentagon nominees below the four-star ranks.

The lower chamber approved the slate by unanimous consent on Tuesday evening, Politico reported. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, for his part, took a victory lap, saying "[l]et this incident be a warning: No one should attempt this in the Senate again."

The Alabama Republican had, for months, held up most military nominations to protest the Department of Defense's policy of providing paid leave to military servicemembers.

Traditionally, the Senate approves military nominations in batches by unanimous consent. Tuberville could not block them unilaterally, but merely force the chamber to schedule votes on each promotion by refusing to lend his voice to the unanimous approval.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.

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