Since February, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) has blocked votes on every personnel recommendation of the U.S. military requiring Senate confirmation. By the end of the year, the impact will be felt by about 90 percent of the nation’s most senior military commanders.

According to a legion of critics across the political spectrum, Tuberville’s action poses a threat to national security, reduces military readiness and undermines morale. In a joint letter, seven former secretaries of defense declared, “We can think of few things as irresponsible and uncaring.” Along with several other Republican senators, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell opposes his “blanket hold.”

Tuberville, who has never served in the military, claims the U.S. Armed Services has “too many officers.” And he has maintained that he will not relent until the “woke” Pentagon — which he alleges, without evidence, may be facilitating “after birth abortions” — stops granting leave and travel expenses for military personnel who cannot get abortions in the state where they are stationed.

Having accomplished nothing in nine months, Tuberville told his Republican colleagues on Nov. 29 that he would get them out of “this mess,” but did not say when or how. The next day, he acknowledged that “these people need to be promoted,” promised to allow promotions “in the very near future,” but “I don’t know how many at one time.”

Tuberville’s single senator veto depends on an arcane procedural rule. In the House of Representatives, the Rules Committee sets guidelines for debates, amendments and votes........

© The Hill