Exploring-USA ranks the top 100 Americans of all time. Three of the top 20 (Jefferson, Edison, and Paine) have a first name of “Thomas.” Senator, Tommy (don’t call me Thomas) Tuberville, R-Al., probably won’t be making the list anytime soon.
Tuberville, 69, in his first term, has been holding up promotions and assignments of U.S. military officers since February of this year.
In the Senate, unanimous consent is a method of quickly deciding issues without taking a vote. Non-controversial issues, like confirming U.S. armed forces promotions and new military assignments, are usually quick, bi-partisan actions. But, if a single senator says no, decisions get deferred.
Senator Tommy said no, so every military personnel move that requires Senate confirmation has been blocked for nine months. His “hold” began with 150 high-level personnel moves waiting for approval; he is now up to more than 300, including the heads of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps branches, which has not happened in more than 150 years. Estimates project that number to be at 650 by year end.
The Senate could confirm these positions, by acting upon each individual military move, like they began to do this week, when they confirmed 2-3 critical positions that have been vacant for months. But that process alone, for 600+, could tie up Senate docket for two months, for an action that usually takes minutes. Who said Congress isn’t efficient? – more on that in a minute.
Tuberville, an ex-college-football coach, was elected to the Senate in 2020 and likes to say, “there is no one more military than me,” despite evidence to the contrary.
The “issue” that has prompted Senator Tommy to take his stand is the military policy on abortion.
The military does not provide abortions or pay for them. But soldiers, who through no fault of their own, are stationed in regions that have outlawed a right they held for 50 years, are allowed time and travel to obtain the health care they feel they need. Tuberville has determined that this is unacceptable, and he is willing to make his point, even if it negatively impacts military readiness and morale.
A logical question might be why won’t someone step up and call the coach out on his stance. But we don’t do that in 2023. Oh sure, the opposition party will call this out as reckless and irresponsible, but partisanship reigns in Congress.
It is up to the Republicans to police their own and wouldn’t that be refreshing… for either party? But instead, while Congress spins its wheels on the debt ceiling and government shutdowns, and while the House investigates impeaching a President for something his son might have done, Tuberville has found a way to waste even more time. Ah, there is that word again – efficiency.
Of course, when the government does shut down in a week, Tuberville and his colleagues still get paid. How about the military? Nope.
While some in his own party have objected to what he is doing, they lack the energy to deal with him, even when he’s impugning the military, seemingly the last institution in American government that Republicans still respected. Now the military is “woke,” too, according to Tuberville.
Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, and Army Secretary Christine Wormuth ripped Tuberville in a Washington Post joint op-ed, saying that he is risking national security.
They wrote, “Senators have many legislative and oversight tools to show their opposition to a specific policy. They are free to introduce legislation, gather support for that legislation, and pass it. But placing a blanket hold on all general and flag officer nominees, who as apolitical officials have traditionally been exempt from the hold process, is unfair to these military leaders and their families.”
“Across the services, many generals and admirals are being forced to perform two roles simultaneously,” they continued. “The strain of this double duty places a real and unfair burden on these officers, the organizations they lead and their families. The blanket hold is also exacting a personal toll on those who least deserve it.”
“All because of the actions of a single senator. Any claim that holding up the promotions of top officers does not directly damage the military is wrong — plain and simple.”
“The leaders whose lives and careers are on hold include scores of combat veterans who have led our troops into deadly combat with valor and distinction in the decades since 9/11,” the secretaries continued. “These men and women each have decades of experience and are exactly who we want — and need — to be leading our military at such a critical period of time.”
They added, “Tuberville has suggested he is going to further escalate this confrontation by launching baseless political attacks against these men and women.” Yes, they are woke, Tommy, now let’s move on.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin weighed in, “This is unprecedented, it is unnecessary, and it is unsafe…This sweeping hold is undermining America’s military readiness. It’s hindering our ability to retain our very best officers. And it’s upending the lives of far too many American military families.”
Austin fears that military families will decide it’s not worth the hassle. If Congress doesn’t see a value in their service, maybe it’s time to move on. After all, most aren’t making Congress-like salaries. And when our leaders’ misplaced efforts lead to a government shutdown, they won’t get paid at all. Can we really afford to lose the people who are keeping us safe? Thanks Tommy.
Curt MacRae, lives in Coldwater, MI / publishes rants on rant-able topics.at this site.
All published posts are tweeted (@curtmacrae) — comments to rantsbymac@gmail.com
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