Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., has blocked quick approval of more than 300 top-level military promotions in protest of the Defense Department's abortion travel policy.
I was disappointed at first that Schumer seemed to cave and agree to individual votes, but it’s turned out to be a masterstroke of a political move. He called Tuberville’s bluff, and Tuberville still objected on individual appointments, despite saying he wouldn’t.
The good optics for Democrats here are obvious, but what this has also done is intensify tensions within the GOP. Several Republican senators, who are incredibly conservative, have been visible and vocally angry at Tuberville objecting on an individual basis as well. Lindsey Graham directly told Tuberville that he was denying excellent people promotions.
Give in to Republican demands for a compromise, and they’ll move the goalposts and make new demands. Schumer beautifully exploited that here. There may be enough Republican anger now to vote for a rule change that allows bypassing Tuberville.
I was disappointed at first that Schumer seemed to cave and agree to individual votes, but it’s turned out to be a masterstroke of a political move. He called Tuberville’s bluff, and Tuberville still objected on individual appointments, despite saying he wouldn’t.
The good optics for Democrats here are obvious, but what this has also done is intensify tensions within the GOP. Several Republican senators, who are incredibly conservative, have been visible and vocally angry at Tuberville objecting on an individual basis as well. Lindsey Graham directly told Tuberville that he was denying excellent people promotions.
Give in to Republican demands for a compromise, and they’ll move the goalposts and make new demands. Schumer beautifully exploited that here. There may be enough Republican anger now to vote for a rule change that allows bypassing Tuberville.