Turning the “DoD Into an Abortion Travel Agency”: GOP Senator Speaks Out Against Republican Tuberville’s Blocks on Military Promotions

Jo ShawNov 9, 2023

Minute Read

Recently, tensions peaked regarding the blockade of military promotions by Republican Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville. As reported by CNN, he is currently obstructing approximately 400 military promotions to protest a Defense Department policy that grants service members leave and travel allowances for reproductive health care including abortion procedures.

Taxpayer-Subsidized Abortions

“I’m holding DoD nominations because the Secretary of Defense is trying to push through a massive expansion of taxpayer-subsidized abortions, without going through this body. Without going through Congress,” Tuberville declared back in March. The blockade is still ongoing now.

DoD Is Not an Abortion Travel Agency

Editorial credit: Drop of Light / Shutterstock.

Tuberville further stated in March, “Three months ago, I informed Secretary Austin that if he tried to turn the DoD into an abortion travel agency, I would place a hold on all civilian, flag, and general officer nominees.”

The Right to Life

Editorial credit: lev radin / Shutterstock.

South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham had lashed out at her fellow Republican Senator. However, Tuberville defended his block, arguing it was about “the right to life.”

Nothing to Do With Policy

Graham said, in response, “We have courts. If you think they’ve done something illegal, go to court. That’s how you handle these things.” She further added, “You’ve just denied this lady a promotion. You did that. All of us are ready to promote her because she deserves to be promoted. She had nothing to do with this policy.”

Opening Up Pandora’s Box

Senator Graham further stated that any member could find fault with the administration, and if they all decided to block the Senate, it would “open up Pandora’s box.”

Damaging the Military

She also claimed that Tuberville was “doing great damage” to the military, stating that she had been trying to work with him for the past nine months.

Tuberville Vows He Will Not Give In

Tuberville has not responded to recent criticism and said he would not give up. “We’re going to be in a holding pattern for a long time,” he declared.

Senators Plot to Break the Block

After several lengthy months of publicly exerting pressure on the Alabama Republican to release his grip on hundreds of promotions, GOP senators are devising fresh strategies to overcome the deadlock.

GOPs Have Planned Special Meeting

At an upcoming special meeting next week, some individuals will request Tuberville to direct his obstruction efforts exclusively toward the Pentagon’s civilian nominees, sparing uniformed officers to protect the military.

GOP Frustration Shown on Live TV

Image Credit: stock_photo_world/Shutterstock.

A televised event that extended over several hours, leading Tuberville to object to 61 military promotion votes, represented a significant juncture for Republicans as their previously private frustrations became publicly evident.

Tommy’s Losing Support

Editorial credit: DCStockPhotography / Shutterstock.

Sen. Kevin Cramer of North Dakota said, “I think what it says about where things are is Tommy’s losing support,” “And you’re seeing the frustration build up because the consequences are building up.”

It’s Time to Develop a More Innovative Strategy

Editorial credit: chrisdorney / Shutterstock.

Sen. Todd Young agreed that he could see what his fellow Republican was trying to achieve but also said it was time to develop a “smarter strategy” while “maintaining national security at this difficult time.”

It’s a Double-Edged Sword

Image Credit Consolidated News Photos / Shutterstock.

Sen. John Kennedy also commented on the prolonged blockade, stating, “Senators have a right to place a hold on a nominee or on a bill, and I’m not going to vote to do anything to undermine it, and I would urge my colleagues not to do anything to undermine it because it is a double-edged sword.” He further added, “Ninety-nine percent of holds get worked out.”

China Is Smiling

Dan Sullivan of Alaska was worried over the timing of the block on promotions when relations between the US and China were fragile. He said, “China is smiling,” and “As an American, it almost wants to make you weep.”

Tuberville, a Long Time Trump Loyalist

Positioning himself as a supporter of President Donald Trump, he was part of a coalition of Republican senators who made efforts to challenge the victory of Democratic president-elect Joe Biden over Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

A Man of Courage

At that time, Trump tweeted support of Tuberville, calling him “a man of courage” and added, “More Republican Senators should follow his lead.” Trump then went on to repeat false claims about the 2020 election.

Trump and Giuliani Tried to Call Tuberville to Delay Counting of Votes

In 2021, CNN’s Sunlen Serfaty, Devan Cole and Alex Rogers wrote an article about calls made during the Capitol riots. “President Donald Trump and his attorney Rudy Giuliani both mistakenly made calls to Republican Sen. Mike Lee as deadly riots were unfolding at the US Capitol earlier this week, a spokesman for the senator confirmed to CNN.”

Calls Accidentally Made to Mike Lee

Editorial credit: Christopher Halloran / Shutterstock.

CNN reported that the “calls were intended for another GOP senator” and “the White House [Trump administration] was frantically trying to convince to delay the counting of Electoral College votes.” The CNN article stated, “Lee’s spokesman said the calls from Trump and his attorney were intended for Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a newly elected Republican from Alabama.”

Proves Insight Into Trump’s “Priorities and Thinking”

Editorial credit: mark reinstein / Shutterstock.

The CNN article stated, “The effort by the White House [Trump] to get Tuberville to delay certification of the votes provides insight into the President’s thinking and priorities as a mob of his supporters lay siege to the iconic building.”