Biden's pick as top US commander could be delayed by senator's blockade
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[May 26, 2023]
By Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A Republican senator's hold on military
nominations will apply to Democratic President Joe Biden's selection of
Air Force chief General Charles Q. Brown as the country's top military
officer, who was chosen amid mounting U.S. concern over security threats
from Russia and China.
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![](../images/052623PIX/news_a12.jpg)
U.S. Air Force Gen. Charles Brown, Jr.
stands by as U.S. President Joe Biden nominates Brown to serve as the
next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff during an event in the Rose
Garden at the White House in Washington, U.S., May 25, 2023.
REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein |
A spokesman for Senator Tommy Tuberville said Brown's nomination
would be affected because the hold applies to all high-level
promotions.
Tuberville has blocked more than 150 military nominations from
moving forward for months because he believes the Pentagon is
improperly using government funding to cover travel costs for
abortions for service members and their dependents.
After the U.S. Supreme Court last year overturned the landmark
1973 Roe v. Wade ruling recognizing a constitutional right to
abortion, the Pentagon said it would cover travel costs for
service members seeking abortions and up to 21 days off.
Several states have limited abortion access since Roe v. Wade
was overturned, and the military argues that women service
members cannot choose where they are stationed.
The Senate's approval of military promotions is usually smooth,
with lawmakers agreeing to let them go ahead quickly.
Tuberville's hold cannot prevent the Democratic-majority Senate
from voting on any promotion, but it can drastically slow down
the process.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Sonali Paul)
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