The Senate unanimously confirmed 11 of the highest-ranking military officers.
The Senate has overwhelmingly approved the nominations of 11 senior military officers. Eleven top-ranking military officers have been universally confirmed by the Senate.
The Senate unanimously confirmed 11 of the highest-ranking military officers.
LOADINGERROR LOADING. WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate unanimously confirmed 11 top-ranking military officers late Tuesday, ending a months-long blockade staged by a single Republican, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama.. Without debate, the Senate swiftly confirmed the military officials, including four-star generals, whose promotions and family livelihoods had been held up by the GOP senator protesting the Defense Department’s policy on abortion.. Advertisement. “That’s good news,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said afterward.. Schumer said other nominees had also been confirmed as the Senate is working to wrap up its work before a holiday recess.. Confirming the 11 remaining high-ranking armed services nominees was a quiet end to Tuberville’s unusual effort after the senator faced pressure from all sides to relent. Critics said his stance, which had left key positions unfilled, threatened national security and left military families with an uncertain path forward.. It came after the Senate two weeks ago suddenly approved about 425 military promotions once Tuberville stood down.. UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 29: Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., attends the House and Senate committee markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 in Dirksen Building on Wednesday, November 29, 2023. (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images). Tom Williams via Getty Images. Advertisement. In a brief comment as he exited the Capitol, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell sounded a similar note, saying the confirmations were “good news.”. Tuberville was blocking the nominations in opposition to Pentagon rules that allow travel reimbursement when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care.. The Biden administration had instituted the new rules after the Supreme Court overturned the nationwide right to an abortion, and some states have limited or banned the procedure.. Democratic Sen. Tom Carper of Delaware, the only Vietnam veteran currently in the Senate, said he spoke with Tuberville on Tuesday to urge him to move on from placing the holds.. In a short speech afterward, Carper saluted the military personnel and apologized for what had happened. “This sad chapter has come to an end,” he said.. Advertisement. Support HuffPost. The Stakes Have Never Been Higher. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.. Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.. At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.. Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why HuffPost’s journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.. We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.. As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.. Our newsroom continues to bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help.. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.. Support HuffPost. Related. senate Mitch McConnellpentagonTommy Tubervilledefense department. Seth Meyers Shreds Rudy Giuliani Lawyer’s Defamation Trial Excuse. Seth Meyers Burns James Comer With Mind-Boggling Fox News Blast From The Past. Jake Tapper Gives Unfiltered Response To Kevin McCarthy’s Final Claim To Congress
