Kaine Statement on Move to End Tuberville’s Dangerous Hold on Military Promotions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement regarding the filing of a rules change that would suspend Senator Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) ability to block military nominations, which is projected to impact as many as 650 servicemembers and their families by the end of the year:

“Senator Tommy Tuberville’s reckless holds on military promotions have gone on too long. They have meant military families are left in limbo, and posts critical to our national security remain vacant despite growing global security challenges. He is abusing the rules of the U.S. Senate to deny these servicemembers the promotions they’ve rightfully earned, and it’s time to shut off his ability to do that. Punishing servicemembers who have dedicated their lives to protecting our nation because you disagree with a policy those Americans have nothing to do with is unacceptable.”

Kaine, who is also Chair of the SASC Subcommittee on Seapower overseeing the Navy and Marine Corps, has been vocal about how Tuberville’s hold hurts America’s national security abroad and military readiness, and impacts servicemembers and their families. Kaine has spoken on the Senate floor various times to highlight this issue and how it impacts servicemembers in Virginia and across the country. Video of Senator Kaine discussing Tuberville’s hold during a Senate Armed Services Committee last month is also available here.

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