Biden: Tuberville Military Blocks ‘Jeopardizing US Security’

Facts

• US Pres. Joe Biden on Thursday accused Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) of “jeopardizing US security” by blocking hundreds of military nominations, including the nominee for the next Joint Chiefs of Staff, the top military position.¹
• Tuberville began blocking confirmations to high-ranking Pentagon positions in March in protest of a Dept. of Defense (DoD) policy that uses taxpayer dollars to pay for service members’ abortion costs.²
• Tuberville, a member of the Armed Services Committee, has blocked a new Marine Commandant, as well as up to 265 military officials up for promotion, leaving the US without a Senate-confirmed Marine leader for the first time in 164 years. Military promotions require unanimous consent from the committee.³
• Also Thursday, US Sec. of Defense Lloyd Austin categorized Tuberville’s objections as a “national security” and “readiness issue.”⁴
• Tuberville, however, said he’s “not going to change” his approach and noted that Gen. Eric Smith, Biden’s pick for Marine Commandment, is filling the position on an acting basis.⁵

Sources: ¹Yahoo News, ²Reuters, ³Newsweek, ⁴NBC, and ⁵Daily Wire.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Tuberville is taking his political games too far. The US cannot afford to be understaffed because one man wants to make a point about abortion, and it’s time for Tuberville and other Republicans, who boast about their support for US servicemen and women, to make sure the country is protected by a fully staffed military.
• Republican narrative, as provided by Daily Wire. The Biden administration isn’t concerned with national security in relation to Tuberville’s objections; it’s most worried about pushing its radical abortion agenda. Taxpayers shouldn't be funding abortions, and Tuberville is standing up for Americans who don’t want to pay for anti-life procedures.