‘Dangerous’: Biden doubles down on Tuberville’s military holds

President Joe Biden on Thursday again took aim at Tommy Tuberville’s military nominations blockade, saying an “extreme political agenda” was behind the Alabama senator’s block on two potentially historic nominations.

In a speech at the Truman Civil Rights Symposium, Biden reiterated his calls for Tuberville (R-Ala.) to end the hold, calling the senator’s resistance “outrageous.”

“Something dangerous is happening,” Biden said. “The Republican Party used to always support the military, but today they’re undermining the military. The senior senator from Alabama, who claims to support our troops, is now blocking more than 300 military operations with his extreme political agenda.”

Earlier this year, Tuberville initiated a hold on votes for military nominations and promotions in response to an announcement that Biden’s Department of Defense would cover the costs incurred by servicemembers forced to travel out of state to receive reproductive care. Tuberville has argued the Defense Department’s policy conflicts with the Dobbs decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion last year.

Hundreds of top military positions currently remain without a Senate-confirmed permanent officeholder.

Biden specifically named C.Q. Brown and Lisa Franchetti, his picks for Joint Chiefs chair and Chief of Naval Operations, respectively, whose nominations have been held up by Tuberville.

Brown, Biden noted, became the first Black person to lead any branch of the Armed Services when he was confirmed as Air Force chief of staff in 2020. If confirmed, Brown would be the first Black Joint Chiefs chair in 30 years, since the late Gen. Colin Powell held the position.

“That’s who I’ve nominated,” Biden said. “He’s waiting.”

Biden also lauded Franchetti’s credentials, and the historic nature of her nomination to the Chief of Naval Operations role. Franchetti would become the first woman to serve as a member of the military’s Joint Chiefs of Staff if confirmed.

“I’ve also nominated other outstanding leaders of all backgrounds,” Biden said. “We need them. Right now, tens of thousands of America’s daughters and sons are deployed around the world tonight keeping us safe from immense national security challenges. But the Senator from Alabama is not.”

Biden also emphasized his support for the Department of Defense policy Tuberville has dug in against. The Alabama senator has committed to maintaining the hold until the Department of Defense reneges on the policy or Senate leadership agrees to hold a vote on the issue.

The Senate voiced overwhelming support for the annual Department of Defense policy bill Thursday night, setting up a contentious debate with the House over the the Pentagon’s abortion travel policy.