In 2023, Tommy Tuberville prevented more than 400 military promotions from being confirmed. This was due to his objection to a Pentagon policy that would pay for service member’s travel expenses to seek abortion access. After blocking promotions for months, Tuberville decided to move on, abandoning his protest and allowing around 425 promotions to go through. Now, in 2024, Tuberville is once again trying to block military promotions. This time, he is attempting to block the promotion of Army general Ronald Clark, who is also the senior aide to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. Keep reading to learn more about the incident that is causing an uproar.
Tommy Tuberville Has a History of Blocking Military Promotions
In the most recent news related to military promotions, Tommy Tuberville has blocked the promotion of the senior aide to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. However, this isn’t the first time that he has tried to block military promotions. So, the question becomes, why is Tuberville holding up promotions?
In 2023, the Alabama Senator blocked promotions for more than 300 senior Pentagon officers over a Pentagon policy on abortion. During this time, there was also a 9-month hold on military promotions. This was due to Tuberville’s opposition to the Defense Department’s abortion policy.
This promotion put national security at risk, as it prevented head generals and admirals from taking command positions for months. Additionally, the promotion impacted military families, hindering their economic situation and injected politics into a military promotion process that was historically apolitical.
Every year, the Armed Services Committee considers around 50,000 nominations for military members and civilians. Usually, military promotions are approved in batches and received unanimous consent. However, Tuberville’s desire to block military promotions led to many senior generals and admirals not getting the promotion and recognition that they deserved.
Atlas, Tuberville Military Promotions Granted for Hundreds of Service Members
At the end of 2023, Tuberville military promotions were finally granted after being delayed for almost an entire year. Tuberville eventually stated that he would allow the promotion of over 400 service members. After the news, the Senate was quick to act.
While the military promotions were eventually granted, the repercussions of the hold were greatly felt. The Pentagon had difficulty filling its top ranks, and hundreds of promotions were left in limbo. When asked about the impact of the promotion hold, President Biden stated, “In the end, this was all pointless. Senator Tuberville, and the Republicans who stood with him, needlessly hurt hundreds of service members and military families and threatened our national security—all to push a partisan agenda. I hope no one forgets what he did.”
Both Republicans and Democrats were relieved with Tuberville’s decision to release the hold, as the disruption to the military careers of hundreds exacted a large toll on military families. Additionally, the end of the blockade was a relief to military leaders as many believed that the disagreement on military promotions, and the ongoing political discourse, made us appear weak and disjoined as a nation to our rivals and enemies. Many hoped that the U.S. military could move forward as a unified force.
Tuberville Blocks Military Promotion for Lloyd Austin’s Top Aid
Now, as we are quickly approaching the end of 2024, Tommy Tuberville is once again placing a hold on military promotions, only this time it is solely related to the promotion of Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, a top aide to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.
According to spokeswoman Mallory Jaspers, Tuberville has blocked the nomination of Lt. Gen. Ronald P. Clark to become the four-star commander of all U.S. Army forces in the Pacific. This action restricts Clark’s nomination from being voted on in the Senate. It’s essentially putting an end to his 36-year military career.
Clark served as Austin’s military assistant around the time when Austin underwent surgery related to his cancer diagnosis, and was admitted to the hospital after experiencing complications. The news of Austin’s cancer diagnosis stirred the pot as Lt. Gen. Clark, and other members of Austin’s cabinet, were unaware of his cancer diagnosis and treatment plan.
Eventually, news of Austin’s medical condition was made public. However, Tuberville expressed concern over Clark’s actions. This is because he was required to notify POTUS when the chain of command is compromised. Clark delayed relaying the news.
As of now, Tuberville is awaiting results of a Defense Department inspector general review, as both parties are questioning his ability to lead after expressing concerns over how the news of Secretary Austin was handled.
In light of these debates about his ability to lead, a Pentagon spokesman released a statement, “Lt. Gen. Clark is highly qualified and was nominated for this critical position because of his experience and strategic expertise. We urge the Senate to confirm all of our qualified nominees. These holds undermine our military readiness.”
Calls to Move Forward With Promotions Continue
Lt. Gen. Clark’s situation further highlights a scenario that rings true for hundreds of military personnel across the country. Last year, with Tuberville’s extended hold on military promotions, the lives of hundreds of servicemen and women were disrupted.
Now, the Pentagon is urging the Senate to confirm Lt. Gen. Ronald Clark, as opposed to further stalling. This recent development further serves as a reminder of the months-long blockade that occurred last year. Additionally, it is triggering outrage from lawmakers in both parties.
When asked about the implications of delaying the promotion of Clark, Senate Armed Services Chairman Jack Reed explained, “I think we have to get him confirmed because, again, playing politics with military promotions is not appropriate. Those should be based on the qualities of the individual.” Now, members of the military and other politicians are calling for Clark to receive the promotion he deserves. They are urging the Senate not to revert backwards on this issue.
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