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Tuberville, a first-term senator closely aligned with former
Republican President Donald Trump, has been blocking quick
confirmation of high-level military promotions since February to
protest the Pentagon's policy of covering travel costs for
abortions for service members and their dependents.
He emerged from a two-hour meeting of Republican senators and
said his "hold" would remain in place, but he might allow
promotions for "people who really need to be promoted."
Tuberville said Republicans planned to meet again and consider
options including unspecified lawsuits and overturning the
Pentagon policy in a larger defense bill. That would face
opposition from Democrats and could prompt a veto from
Democratic President Joe Biden.
"Hopefully we can work through this and get something done in a
short period of time," Tuberville told reporters.
Under Senate rules, one lawmaker can hold up nominations even if
the other 99 all want them to move quickly. Tuberville's
blockade has faced opposition from some Republicans as well as
Democrats, who say he should make his point on a policy matter
by targeting nominees involved with policy.
The Pentagon says 450 officers have been affected by the holds.
Military leaders say the logjam has harmed national security by
leaving key positions empty and making it more difficult to
recruit and retain troops.
Tuberville's blockade ended decades in which the Senate has
routinely approved large numbers of military promotions at once.
He has argued that the Senate could sidestep his action by
approving one promotion at a time, a process that would take
months.
Democrats are working on a resolution that would temporarily
change Senate rules to allow votes on multiple military
nominations, through the end of next year. However, that
resolution needs 60 votes - from nine Republicans as well as
every Democratic caucus member - to pass.
Several states have limited abortion access since the Supreme
Court last year overturned Roe v. Wade ruling recognizing a
constitutional right to abortion was overturned last year. The
argument in favor of funding travel is that women service
members should not be denied access to abortion services because
they cannot choose where they are stationed.
(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; Editing by Scott Malone and
David Gregorio)
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