Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville is using his senatorial privileges to block all U.S. military personnel moves requiring confirmation as a tool to challenge the Pentagon’s abortion policy.
The Impulse: Tuberville is opposed to the Pentagon policy of granting leave and travel expenses for military personnel who cannot obtain an abortion in the state where they are stationed.
* He cited the Hyde Amendment, which bars federal funding for abortion, to explain his stance.
* Significant military positions, including the Marine Commandant, are now unfilled due to Tuberville’s “senatorial hold”.
Background: Tuberville is a first-term senator known for defeating former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions in 2020 with Trump’s support.
* While he hasn’t made much impact beyond Alabama, his remarks and stances have caught media attention, including his position on military’s rejection of white nationalists and his stance on abortion.
The mechanisms: Tuberville’s ability to single-handedly stall confirmations is due to the Senate’s practice of ‘unanimous consent’.
* The Senate relies on consent agreements, made between party leaders, to bring Senate business to the floor.
* These agreements necessitate open communication and collaboration among party members, but occasionally, a senator can defy the consensus.
Leadership’s Reaction: Senate leaders, including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and GOP leader Mitch McConnell, have criticized Tuberville’s actions but are restrained by Senate rules and traditions from stopping him outright.
A Senate Quandary: Tuberville’s usage of senatorial privilege strays from the traditionally cooperative nature of the Senate, which relies on unanimous consent for most of its business.
* Noteworthy is the Senate’s reluctance to relinquish their own powerful privileges, demonstrated by the hesitation in reforming standing rules.
* Previous instances of reform, including the limitation of the filibuster on nominations in 2013, have led to regret amongst senators.
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