McConnell not ready to back resolution to break Tuberville military holds

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) says he’s not ready to vote for a Democratic resolution to confirm more than 350 stalled military promotions at once to circumvent holds placed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). 

McConnell has made it clear for months that he does not support Tuberville’s strategy.

The Alabama senator has blocked hundreds of nonpartisan military nominees from receiving promotions to put pressure on the Department of Defense to end its policy of reimbursing the travel expenses of service members who cross state lines to receive abortions.  

But McConnell said Republican senators are still trying to work out a deal with Tuberville to move the stalled nominees and that he’s not yet ready to vote for a standing order resolution that would allow Democrats to move hundreds of promotions in a single package.  

“We’re still working on trying to solve this problem, so I’m not going to support it this afternoon. We’re still hopeful we’ll be able to free up these military heroes who are not a part of any of the policymaking,” McConnell, a member of the Senate Rules Committee, told reporters. 

The Rules Committee convened at 3 p.m. Tuesday to mark up the resolution, which is expected to pass out of committee later in the day on a party-line vote.  

Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Rules panel, said she would also vote against the resolution.  

“Personally, I have an issue with changing the rules. So, no. I’ll be a no,” she said before the hearing.  

The resolution to alter Senate process is sponsored by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed (D-R.I.). 

It would not allow Senate Democrats to move top-level commanders such as members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or candidates nominated to lead a combatant command in a larger package of nominees.