In a pivotal move this week, the Senate Rules Committee is set to challenge Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s extended hold on military nominations, signaling a potential breakthrough in the months-long deadlock. The outcome remains uncertain, hinging on whether there will be sufficient Republican support for the proposed plan.
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On Tuesday, the committee will deliberate a groundbreaking proposal to streamline consideration for approximately 350 pending nominations through a single parliamentary maneuver—a departure from traditional Senate procedures. While the plan is anticipated to easily clear the committee, its fate in the full Senate depends on garnering Republican cooperation for final approval.
Sen. Tuberville, a Republican from Alabama, has maintained a blockade on expedited consideration for routine senior military promotions and confirmations since the spring. His objections stem from the Defense Department’s abortion access policy. Despite mounting pressure from several GOP colleagues in recent days, urging him to lift the holds due to cascading leadership challenges, Tuberville has thus far remained steadfast in his stance. The upcoming rules committee meeting on Tuesday aims to compel a resolution on this issue, as Democratic leaders and top Pentagon officials assert that the standoff has endured for too long.
Legislative Agenda for November 14-15, 2023
| Date | Committee | Time | Location | Topic | Speakers | Focus |
| Nov. 14 | House Foreign Affairs | 10a.m. | Visitors Center H210 | Afghanistan Policy | John Sopko, Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction | Effects of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan |
| Nov. 14 | House Transportation | 10a.m. | 2167 Rayburn | Coast Guard Operations | Service officials | Current operations discussion |
| Nov. 14 | House Oversight and Accountability | 10a.m. | 2154 Rayburn | General Services Administration | Robin Carnahan, GSA Administrator | Testimony on agency-related issues |
| Nov. 14 | House Foreign Affairs | 2 p.m. | Visitors Center H210 | Afghanistan Withdrawal | Outside advocates | Impact of U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan |
| Nov. 14 | House Veterans’ Affairs | 2 p.m. | 360 Cannon | Suicide Prevention | VA officials | Testimony on new veteran suicide prevention therapies |
| Nov. 14 | Senate Rules | 3 p.m. | 301 Russell | Military Nomination Rules | Senators | Debate on changes to military confirmation policies |
| Nov. 15 | House Homeland Security | 9 a.m. | 310 Cannon | Worldwide Threats | Alejandro Mayorkas, Homeland Security Secretary, and other senior officials | Testimony on threats facing the U.S. |
| Nov. 15 | House Armed Services | 10 a.m. | 2118 Rayburn | U.S. Strategic Posture | Members of the Congressional Commission on the Strategic Posture of the U.S. | Testimony on findings regarding U.S. strategic posture |
| Nov. 15 | House Foreign Affairs | 10 a.m. | Visitors Center H210 | Azerbaijan | Regional experts | Testimony on the conflict between Azerbaijan leadership and officials from Nagorno-Karabakh region |
| Nov. 15 | House Veterans’ Affairs | 12 p.m. | 360 Cannon | Electronic Health Records | VA officials | Update on electronic health records modernization program |
| Nov. 15 | Senate Small Business | 2:30 p.m. | 428-A Russell | Veteran Entrepreneurship | Outside experts | Testimony on opportunities for veteran entrepreneurs |
| Nov. 15 | Senate Veterans’ Affairs | 3:30 p.m. | 418 Russell | VA Emergency Preparedness | VA officials | Testimony on department response responsibilities in national emergencies |
This week’s legislative agenda underscores the multifaceted challenges facing the U.S. government, from military confirmation policies to global threats and critical veteran-related issues. Stay informed as the Senate navigates these crucial discussions, potentially reshaping the landscape of military promotions and broader national security considerations.
