Tuberville Approves Military Nomination After Months of Blockade

Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Al., who has blocked military promotions for months in the Senate, on Thursday voted to approve the promotion of Gen. Randy George as Army Chief of Staff, according to CSPAN

George was ultimately successfully confirmed by a 96-1 vote.

The Senate began moving to vote and confirm three nominations on Wednesday, after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., filed cloture. Later Wednesday, the upper chamber successfully confirmed Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Tuberville voted no on Brown's nomination.

On that same day, Tuberville made it clear that his blockade was still not over.

“My hold is still in place,” Tuberville said in a floor speech. “The hold will remain in place as long as the Pentagon’s illegal abortion policy remains in place. If the Pentagon lifts the policy, then I will lift my hold. It’s as easy as that.”

The Alabama senator has refused to approve mass confirmation of large numbers of military appointments and promotions since April, in protest of the Pentagon's policy of paying for travel for personnel seeking abortion healthcare.