The Senate confirmed three senior military officers on Thursday, bypassing a blockade on President Biden’s nominees imposed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.). This move comes in response to Tuberville’s efforts to gain leverage in a fight over the Pentagon’s travel policy for troops seeking abortions.
The officers confirmed were Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who will become the first woman to lead the Navy and join the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Gen. David W. Allvin, nominated to lead the Air Force; and Lt. Gen. Christopher J. Mahoney, who will be promoted to four-star general and become the Marine Corps’s No. 2 officer.
Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks linked the hold on nominations directly to the health condition of Gen. Eric Smith, who suffered cardiac arrest on Sunday. Hicks described the hold as unnecessary and unsafe, and criticized Tuberville’s actions.
All three officers confirmed on Thursday are highly qualified. Franchetti has extensive experience as a surface warfare officer and will focus on operations in the Pacific. Allvin served as a cargo pilot and has led large units in the Air Force. Mahoney, a fighter pilot, has served as the Marine Corps deputy commandant for programs and resources.
The confirmation votes came amid frustration among Senate Republicans over Tuberville’s tactics. Many Republicans denounced the blockade, arguing that Tuberville had other options to protest policy decisions. They expressed concerns that the blockade is harming military readiness.
Tuberville initiated the legislative blockade in February, preventing the Senate from approving uncontroversial nominees. Over 370 military officers are affected by the logjam, and the Pentagon estimates that three-quarters of the generals and admirals in the Defense Department will be affected by the end of the year.
Despite the opposition, Tuberville plans to continue with the blockade. He denies that Smith’s medical emergency was influenced by his actions and argues that holding multiple roles in the Marine Corps is unsustainable.
The White House expressed support for the Senate’s actions and urged Tuberville to end the blockade. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer supports a Democratic proposal to circumvent the hold and allow a vote on a large block of military nominees.
Any vote to bypass Tuberville’s hold is likely weeks away and may face opposition from Republican senators who believe it could weaken lawmakers’ ability to stall nominations in the future. Some Republicans have urged Tuberville to focus on Biden’s proposed political appointments instead. However, Tuberville remains firm in his position.
