Haley Slams Tuberville for Holding Up Military Appointments

(USNewsMag.com) – Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley has gone on record stating she does not support Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s hold on military nominations.

According to Haley, while the Biden administration started the issue by changing the Department of Defense policy to allow paid travel for service members’ out-of-state abortions, Tuberville’s response is wrong. During an interview with Jake Tapper on CNN’s “State of the Union, Haley said that though she disagrees with the policy, she also disagrees with “using military families as political pawns.” She called the move “a mistake,” adding that “military members and families sacrifice enough.”

If she is elected president, Haley stated she would end the Department of Defense policy. She also argued that the Department of Defense did not “do things the right way” and created the issue by not going through Congress to change the policy.

Since February, Tuberville has been blocking promotions for admirals as well as generals over the policy. Around 300 senior military officers’ promotions have been blocked because of the holds, which are beginning to draw criticism from Republicans as well as Democrats. His hold blocks the Senate from approving the nominations quickly and in groups through a “unanimous consent” agreement. However, the Senate could still vote individually on nominations, which is “very easy to do,” according to Tuberville.

Tuberville argues the new policy violates the Hyde Amendment, which prohibits abortions from being paid for using federal funds. Tuberville has stated he would end the blockade if given a chance to vote on the new abortion policy.

Haley’s position aligns with that of Republican presidential candidate and former governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie. Other Republican presidential candidates have come out in support of Tuberville’s positions, such as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and former Vice President Mike Pence. South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott has not stated whether he supports Tuberville’s actions.