Joe Biden says Tommy Tuberville should drop his ‘irresponsible’ protest and OK military nominees
President Joe Biden on Thursday said it is “irresponsible” of a Republican senator from Alabama to block confirmation of military officers in protest of a Defense Department policy that pays for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or reproductive care. “He’s jeopardizing U.S. security by what he’s doing,” Biden said of Sen. Tommy Tuberville. “It’s just totally irresponsible in my view.” More than 260 nominations are stalled by Tuberville, including Biden’s pick for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, America’s top military officer. The U.S. Marine Corps is currently without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century because of the block. It also affects scores of one-, two- and three-star officers who are assigned to new base commands. “I’d be willing to talk to him if I thought there was any possibility of changing his ridiculous position,” Biden said during a press conference with the president of Finland. Biden traveled to Finland as a show of support for the new NATO member, following the NATO summit in Lithuania this week. “The idea that we’re injecting into fundamental foreign policy decisions what, in fact, is a domestic social debate on social issues is bizarre,” Biden said. There were also efforts at the Pentagon to encourage Tuberville to drop his opposition. The senator told reporters later Thursday that he had just spoken with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and expected to speak with him again. The block also affects the families of nominees, who usually relocate over the summer to their new military communities so school-age children can get settled in before fall. And it stretches to hundreds more younger military personnel who don’t need Senate confirmation but are still affected by the hold because they are assigned to serve as staff or aides to the relocating generals. Those aides move their families as well. So they are essentially stuck, too. A proposal last month to hold a Senate debate over Pentagon abortion policies as part of the annual defense bill negotiations was seen by some senators as the best prospect for getting Tuberville to lift those holds, but he opposed it. The Alabama senator’s action bucks decades of precedent in which swaths of military officers and promotions are approved by voice vote and with no objections. Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Jack Reed, D-R.I., has said that if the Senate were to vote individually on the 260 nominations, it would take 27 days with the Senate working “around the clock” or 84 days if the Senate worked eight hours a day. Tuberville has said he wants Democrats to solve the problem by introducing legislation on the abortion policy and then holding a vote on it. Tuberville does not have his own bill to change the policy. “I’m leaving it up to them,” Tuberville said Wednesday. But Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer says that Republican leaders, most of whom have criticized Tuberville’s holds, should prevail on the senator to change his mind. Biden, too, said Tuberville’s fellow GOP senators should work to stop his block. “I’m confident the mainstream Republican party does not support what he’s doing, but they got to stand up and be counted. That’s how it ends,” Biden said. Republished with the permission of the Associate Press.
Republican’s hold on nominations leaves Marines without confirmed leader for 1st time in 100 years
The U.S. Marine Corps is without a confirmed leader for the first time in a century as Gen. David Berger stepped down as commandant on Monday, and a Republican senator is blocking approval of his successor. Berger took over as the 38th commandant in July 2019 and is required to leave the job after four years. Gen. Eric Smith, currently the assistant commandant, has been nominated to be the next leader but will serve in an acting capacity because he hasn’t been confirmed by the Senate. Under the law, Smith can serve as the acting commandant, but he can do nothing that would presume confirmation. As a result, he can’t move into the main residence or the commandant’s office, or issue any new formal commandant’s planning guidance, which is traditional for a new leader. He has the authority to implement new policies such as budget, training, and other personnel decisions. Smith’s promotion delay is the first of what could be many top-level military officers held up by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala. Tuberville has stalled all nominations for senior military jobs because he disagrees with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s decision to have the Defense Department pay for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. Abortion is now illegal in Alabama. Speaking at a ceremony at the Marine Barracks Washington, just down the street from Capitol Hill, Austin and Berger called on the Senate to take action. “We need the Senate to do their job so that we can have a sitting commandant that’s appointed and confirmed. We need that house to be occupied,” said Berger, with a nod to the commandant’s quarters at the edge of the parade field. Austin and other Pentagon officials have pressed the Senate to move forward, saying that delays are already impacting more than 200 military officers and many key leaders. “You know, it’s been more than a century since the U.S. Marine Corps has operated without a Senate-confirmed commandant,” Austin said during the ceremony. Because of Berger’s requirement to step down in July, the Marine job is the first of the military chiefs to be affected by Tuberville. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are all expected to face the same delay later this year, as could the nomination of the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The current chairman, Army Gen. Mark Milley, leaves his job at the end of September. Gen. CQ Brown, the current chief of the Air Force, has been nominated to replace Milley and is scheduled to go before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his hearing on Tuesday. The hold, however, is also impacting scores of one, two, and three-star officers who are assigned to new commands but can’t move on. It also affects their families, who usually relocate over the summer to their new military communities so school-age children can settle in before fall. “Smooth and timely transitions of confirmed leadership are central to the defense of the United States and to the full strength of the most powerful fighting force in history,” said Austin. “Stable and orderly leadership transitions are also vital to maintaining our unmatched network of allies and partners. And they’re crucial for our military readiness.” Smith hit the thorny issue head-on during his remarks at the ceremony Monday — saying he wanted to get one thing out fast. “If you’re saying, ‘What am I supposed to call you?’ ACMC. That is my title, and one that I’m proud of,” said Smith, using the shorthand for his assistant commandant role. But he quickly added, “To make sure that there is no confusion — all orders, directives, and guidance, which were in effect this morning remain in effect unless I direct otherwise. Further guidance to the force will follow.” Sabrina Singh, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Monday that as of last Friday, there were 265 senior officers whose promotions have been held up by Tuberville, and that number could leap to 650 by the end of the year if the issue isn’t corrected. She noted that in more than 100 cases, officers — like Smith — would be forced to do two jobs at the same time because no one can move up. She said the Pentagon is asking officers to delay planned retirements and stay on, while in other cases, officers are doing more senior-ranking jobs without getting the pay for that new rank. The last time the Corps was led by an acting commandant was in 1910. Then-Maj. Gen. George Elliott, who was the commandant, reached the required retirement age in November 1910 and left the office. Col. William Biddle served as the acting commandant until he was promoted to major general and became commandant in February 1911. Berger, a native of Woodbine, Maryland, graduated from Tulane University and was commissioned in 1981. He commanded at every level, including tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. During his tenure, he spearheaded a broad campaign to transform the Marine Corps to better be able to fight amphibious wars in the Pacific after years of battling terrorist groups in the Middle East. The plan was lauded by many in the Pentagon and Congress as a critical way for the Marines to prepare for a potential conflict with China. Smith, a career infantry officer, is a highly decorated Marine who served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq, including time in Fallujah and Ramadi during heavy combat in 2004 and 2005 in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He later was the senior military adviser to Defense Secretary Ash Carter and, in 2019, took over as the deputy commandant for combat development. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Mike Rogers disappointed in ‘accountability and transparency’ regarding Afghanistan withdrawal
Last week Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL03), the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressing his disappointment in the lack of accountability and transparency from the Department of Defense in the classified After Action Review (AAR) concerning the Biden administration’s withdrawal from Afghanistan. In the letter, Chairman Rogers wrote, “I have written to you separately in a classified letter (transmitted June 8, 2023) pointing out multiple discrepancies in the classified version of the After Action Review (“AAR”) concerning the botched and deadly withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan. My classified letter also addresses your associated personal reflections (attached as a classified memorandum to the AAR). Sadly, your memorandum does not accept responsibility, and propounds outright untruths, related to the Biden Administration’s actions and inactions in failing to secure a safe and orderly withdrawal of troops and related Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation (“NEO”).” “While the fog of war is likely to result in mistakes and even tragedy, an honest appraisal of the Biden Administration’s involvement in implementing the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan has still not occurred,” Rogers wrote. “Towards this objective, it is incumbent on the Committee and its oversight responsibilities to determine what went wrong and how such a catastrophe can be avoided in the future.” “To this end, I will await your response to my questions in the classified letter,” Rep. Rogers continued. “Moreover, the Department’s AAR produced to the House omitted significant portions included in its Table of Contents, including all endnotes and other appendices to the report. Additionally, significant redaction of material in the classified report is not explained. The Committee relies upon transparency in conducting oversight for the American people, so I hope exclusion of associated documents with the AAR was unintentional and that the Committee can receive an appropriately un-redacted version. Please produce all documents, no later than July 7, 2023, associated with the AAR as listed in the report’s Table of Contents.” According to a report released by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in February 2022, as many as 9,000 Americans were left behind in Afghanistan after the U.S. military’s rushed evacuation on August 31, 20211. The exact number of Americans remaining in Afghanistan is not known for sure. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken estimated that less than 200 Americans are remaining in Afghanistan, and it’s “likely closer to 100”. Another report from August 2021 stated that as many as 15,000 Americans remained in Afghanistan after the Taliban takeover of the country. The State Department believes as many as 14,000 U.S. legal permanent residents remain in Afghanistan. Additionally, an estimated 78,000 SIV-holding American allies are stranded in Afghanistan. Many Afghan interpreters that worked with U.S. forces in Afghanistan were left behind. The U.S. did manage to get out 6,000 American citizens and thousands more of our Afghan allies, but the evacuation ended after a bomber killed 13 American servicemembers. Rogers is in his 11th term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. Rogers previously served in the Alabama House of Representatives and on the Calhoun County Commission. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Gov. Kay Ivey says Huntsville is only rightful place for Space Command
On Tuesday, Governor Kay Ivey commended the House Armed Services Committee’s investigation into why President Joe Biden may overrule the Air Force decision to move Space Command to Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville. Ivey reiterated her claim that it is a blatant fact that Huntsville is the rightful home for the Space Command Headquarters. “Alabama is eager for our country to win the space race, not slow walk our way there,” said Ivey. “Let me repeat what everyone already knows: Alabama is the only rightful home for Space Command Headquarters, and supporting this mission is critical to the advancement of our national security.” “Last week, our bipartisan Alabama delegation brought to light concerning details regarding the permanency of Space Command Headquarters,” Ivey continued. “On what dimension would we not have a permanent headquarters for a major arm of our national security? There are many questions that must be answered, and I commend Chairman Rogers, Representatives Strong and Sewell, as well as the entire U.S. House Armed Services Committee for launching this investigation.” U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL03) is the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. Rogers sent a letter to Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the Department of Defense, and Frank Kendall, Secretary of the Department of the Air Force, requesting the department to preserve all documentation concerning the selection of a location for the U.S. Space Command (SPACECOM) Headquarters. In the letter, Chairman Rogers expressed concern regarding continued delays due to possible interference from the Biden Administration. “The Air Force’s deleterious actions concerning the selection of a location for SPACECOM Headquarters require the Committee to now seek document preservation in this matter,” Rogers said. “Air Force officials have continued to delay finalizing the move of SPACECOM Headquarters to Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, in response to apparent politically motivated interference by political appointees in the Biden Administration.” Chairman Rogers continued, “The U.S. Space Force’s overall mission and success requires a swift decision on finalizing the move. The move is severely delayed at this point, over two years beyond the point when Air Force made the right decision after scrutinizing multiple locations and considering multiple factors to locate SPACECOM Headquarters in Huntsville, and over a year since the GAO and the DOD Inspector General affirmed Air Force’s decision. Moving expeditiously to locate SPACECOM Headquarters at Redstone Arsenal is in our country’s best national security interests.” “Alabama – in every way – is staunchly committed to seeing this mission through,” said Gov. Kay Ivey. “And everyone agrees because the facts are undeniable that Redstone should, can, and will be home to Space Command Headquarters. Secretary Kendall and General Dickinson, I am ready to join you at Redstone Arsenal very soon to officially welcome the HQ to Alabama.” “The Air Force closely scrutinized multiple locations based on multiple factors to decide where Space Command Headquarters should be, and Huntsville was the indisputable winner in both the Evaluation and Selection phases,” said Congressman Dale Strong (R-AL05). “The fact is that Redstone Arsenal offers the best possible location for Space Command Headquarters, and it is in our country’s best national security interest to make this move immediately.” There is a report by NBC News that President Biden will overrule the Air Force decision and instead order Space Command headquarters to remain in Colorado. This is widely viewed as a political calculation as the President faces re-election next year, and Colorado voted for him. In contrast, Alabama has not backed a Democratic presidential candidate since 1976. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mitch McConnell opposes Alabama Republican’s blockade of military nominees over Pentagon abortion policy
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday that he won’t support a fellow GOP senator’s blockade of military nominees, backing Democrats and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who have said that the holdup is harming national security. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville is objecting to the normally routine practice of confirming dozens of military nominations, a move that would force the Senate to hold potentially hundreds of votes to confirm non-controversial senior military officers. Tuberville has not backed down from his now-monthslong pledge to hold up the nominees over the Pentagon’s abortion policy, which provides travel funds and support for troops and dependents who seek abortions but are based in states where they are now illegal. “No, I don’t support putting a hold on military nominations,” McConnell told reporters, in response to a question about Tuberville’s blockade. “I don’t support that. But as to why, you’ll have to ask Sen. Tuberville.” McConnell’s comments have no practical effect on Tuberville’s holds because any senator can hold up any Senate action. But the GOP leader’s position further isolates the Alabama Republican as lawmakers and national security officials have said that the holdup may have dangerous effects. In a letter sent last week to Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, Austin wrote that he has “deep concern” about the delays in confirmations. He said the Pentagon estimates that approximately 650 officers covered by the hold – those at the one-star to four-star levels – will require Senate confirmation between now and the end of the year. The delays pose “a clear risk to U.S. military readiness, especially at his critical time,” Austin wrote, adding that never before has one senator held up so many officers. The glut of vacancies would break down the department’s normal flow of leadership and breed uncertainty and confusion, he said, risking operations in “every theater, every domain, and every service.” At a hearing earlier this year, Austin defended the abortion policy by saying that tens of thousands of women in the military live and work in locations that don’t have regular reproductive health care. “This policy is based on strong legal ground,” he said. A spokesman for Tuberville said Wednesday that McConnell’s comments have not changed his position. The senator has said repeatedly that he won’t budge. “Secretary Austin thought abortion is more important than his highest-level military nominations,” he said late last month after Democrats tried to call up the nominations on the Senate floor. “Secretary Austin could end the policy today, and I would lift my hold. Secretary Austin has chosen not to do that.” Tuberville has argued that Chuck Schumer can bring the nominations to the Senate floor at any time and hold individual votes. But each nomination would require at least two votes and days of Senate time, and Democrats have argued that it would set a dangerous precedent to hold partisan votes on routine military nominations that have traditionally been unanimously approved by voice vote. Schumer said on the Senate floor Wednesday that Republicans are willing to jeopardize U.S. “standing abroad, the livelihood of service members, and our military readiness” over the issue of abortion access. “Our national security is not a bargaining chip for radical right-wing policies,” Schumer said. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Joe Biden sending 1,500 troops for Mexico border migrant surge
The Biden administration will send 1,500 active-duty troops to the U.S.-Mexico border starting next week, ahead of an expected migrant surge following the end of coronavirus pandemic-era restrictions. Military personnel will do data entry, warehouse support, and other administrative tasks so that U.S. Customs and Border Protection can focus on fieldwork, White House spokeswoman Karine Jean-Pierre said Tuesday. The troops “will not be performing law enforcement functions or interacting with immigrants, or migrants,” Jean-Pierre said. “This will free up Border Patrol agents to perform their critical law enforcement duties.” They will be deployed for 90 days and will be pulled from the Army and Marine Corps, and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will look to backfill with National Guard or Reserve troops during that period, Pentagon spokesman Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said. There are already 2,500 National Guard members at the border. The COVID-19 restrictions have allowed U.S. officials to turn away tens of thousands of migrants crossing the southern border, but those restrictions will lift May 11, and border officials are bracing for a surge. Even amid the restrictions, the administration has seen record numbers of people crossing the border, and President Joe Biden has responded by cracking down on those who cross illegally and by creating new pathways meant to offer alternatives to a dangerous and often deadly journey. For Biden, who announced his Democratic reelection campaign a week ago, the decision signals his administration is taking seriously an effort to tamp down the number of illegal crossings, a potent source of Republican attacks, and sends a message to potential border crossers not to attempt the journey. But it also draws potentially unwelcome comparisons to Biden’s Republican predecessor, whose policies Biden frequently criticized. Congress, meanwhile, has refused to take any substantial immigration-related actions. Then-President Donald Trump deployed active-duty troops to the border to assist border patrol personnel in processing large migrant caravans, on top of National Guard forces that were already working in that capacity. Jean-Pierre downplayed any similarity between Biden’s immigration management and Trump’s use of troops during his term. “DOD personnel have been supporting CBP at the border for almost two decades now,” Jean-Pierre said. “So this is a common practice.” It’s another line of defense in an effort to manage overcrowding and other possible issues that might arise as border officials move away from the COVID-19 restrictions. Last week, administration officials announced they would work to swiftly screen migrants seeking asylum at the border, quickly deport those deemed as not being qualified, and penalize people who cross illegally into the U.S. or illegally through another country on their way to the U.S. border. They will also open centers outside the United States for people fleeing violence and poverty to apply to fly in legally and settle in the United States, Spain, or Canada. The first processing centers will open in Guatemala and Colombia, with others expected to follow. The Pentagon on Tuesday approved the request for troops by Homeland Security, which manages the border. The deployments have a catch: As a condition for Austin’s previous approval of National Guard troops to the border through Oct. 1, Homeland Security had to agree to work with the White House and Congress to develop a plan for longer-term staffing solutions and funding shortfalls, “to maintain border security and the safe, orderly, and humane processing of migrants that do not involve the continued use of DOD personnel and resources,” said Pentagon spokesman Air Force Lt. Col. Devin Robinson. As part of the agreement, the Pentagon has requested quarterly updates from Homeland Security on how it would staff its border mission without servicemembers. It was not immediately clear if those updates have happened or if border officials will be able to meet their terms of the agreement — particularly under the strain of another expected migrant surge. Homeland Security said it was working on it. “U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investing in technology and personnel to reduce its need for DOD support in coming years, and we continue to call on Congress to support us in this task,” the agency said in a statement. Republished with the permission of The Associated Press.
Tommy Tuberville explains why he is blocking Defense nominees over abortions
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville joined the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio on Monday to discuss his decision to hold all U.S. Department of Defense flag and civilian nominees to protest the department’s new expanded abortion policy that circumvents Congress. “This is about the rule of law,” Tuberville said. “This is about doing things the right way, and we tried to do it the right way. I tried to get them to talk to me—the Secretary of Defense and people putting this new policy together.” Tuberville has been widely criticized for his blocking of the defense promotions. “Not a good look for Republicans to be holding up promotions for key military leaders,” Majority Leader Chuck Schumer’s office told Politico. Tuberville blasted the Defense leadership for their controversial social stances claiming that that has hurt the military’s recruiting ability. “It’s unfortunate that we make political decisions instead of decisions for our country to keep it strong,” Tuberville said. “I told them last week when they challenged me on this,” Tuberville said. “You need to be worried about recruiting people that are actually going to fight for our country, not the people who’s going to give the orders. Like you said, we’re way behind. And it’s all these woke policies that they put through the military that these young men and women have to go through and listen to and be educated on instead of learning how to fight and be the people that’s going to protect our national security.” “We’re the joke of the world—not the people that’s in it right now, but the people that’s trying to control it and do everything they can to make a meeker and milder military,” said Tuberville. “This is all contrived to take down the best military that’s ever been.” Sen. Tuberville wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal Monday explaining his decision. The Family Research Council has started a petition in support of Tuberville’s stance. The petition states, “I stand with Senator “Coach” Tommy Tuberville in the effort to prevent our military from becoming an abortion business! Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Department of Defense have stepped out of bounds in usurping Congress’ lawmaking authority by implementing a radical new policy that would result in abortion on demand for members of the military and their dependents at taxpayers’ expense. It is estimated this would result in 4,000 abortions a year! We can’t allow this to happen. The Biden administration should know that such policies will not be tolerated in the U.S. military. I stand with Senator Tuberville as he fights to protect unborn lives, to defend the rule of law, and to prevent our military from becoming an abortion business. I also pledge to pray for Senator Tuberville and for the success of his effort to defend the unborn.” 25,408 signatures have been received supporting Tuberville in his stance. Tommy Tuberville is in his first term representing Alabama in the U.S. Senate after his election in 2020. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mike Rogers and colleagues question Department of Defense leadership on China threat
On Wednesday, March 29th, the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) questioned Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley during an oversight hearing. Members pressed Sec. Austin and Gen. Milley on the threat China poses to the United States and what we’re doing to deter China’s growing influence and military capabilities. Congressman Mike Rogers chairs the powerful committee which oversees the Department of Defense. In his opening remarks, Rogers made it clear that we must invest in “the men and women of our armed services and the modernization of our conventional and strategic deterrent” to maintain readiness in the face of China’s aggression. In an exchange with Chairman Rogers, Gen. Milley said, “That’s the reality of it. Our military, capability-wise, can fight in a lot of places with different types of contingencies. But if you’re talking about a serious conflict with a major great power war, realistically putting both China and Russia together is a very, very difficult thing.” “That’s the thing the committee needs to take note of, and the Congress is that for the first 15 years. I was here; we had a strategy that allowed us to fight two wars simultaneously and successfully defend the homeland,” Rogers said. “We have already had to drop that down to just one theatre, which is scary enough, and I worry that if we do have a disruption in our funding, our authorization, it could further erode that capability.” Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado) questioned Milley on China’s threat to the U.S. “[China has] a national goal to be a global — to be the global — coequal with the United States and superior militarily by mid-century,” Gen. Milley said in response. “They’re on that path to do that, and that’s really disturbing. That’s really bothersome. We’re going to have to not only keep pace, but we have to outpace that, and that will assure the peace.” Rep. Rob Wittman (R-Virginia) delivered his analysis of the threat the U.S. is facing from the Chinese Communist Party. Rep. Wittman showed the alarming growth of China’s capabilities from 1999 to today and projections for 2025. Rep. Wittman said, “Today we face the threat of our lifetime, the CCP is indeed that…we see the expansionist efforts by the Chinese Communist Party.” Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin) emphasized bipartisan support to turn Taiwan into a porcupine and pressed Secretary Austin on whether he is personally engaged in the effort to deliver a deterrence by denial capability. Secretary Austin responded, “Absolutely. There is not a week that goes by that I am not talking to commanders and staff on the problems, the challenges, that we face with China, me personally, and so that is a part of our battle rhythm, for lack of a better term and again, I think that that’s what it’s gonna take to do the kind of things that you just described.” In an exchange with Gallagher, Secretary Austin stated, “We need to make sure that we maintain a combat credible force that can deter any adversary from making a bad decision on any given day.” Mike Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Tommy Tuberville defends his hold on military promotions over abortions being performed by military
In a Tuesday Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) hearing, U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville urged U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to reverse the Department of Defense policy that would provide taxpayer-funded abortions. “The military has performed abortions for years,” Tuberville said. “All were cases of rape, incest, and harm to the mom. Over the past 40 years, I don’t recall one military person ever complaining that we weren’t performing enough abortions, nor did the military raise alarm that our service men and women were being placed in areas that had restrictive policies on abortion. Poland’s restrictive policies. Japan. Djibouti. All these theaters have [restriction on] abortion policy, yet our military changed the policy to do this job in these different theaters.” “As of 12 days ago, y’all got the American taxpayer on the hook to pay for travel and time off for elective abortions,” said Tuberville. “And you did not make this with anybody in this room or Congress taking a vote. In fact, this contradicts what Congress has actually voted for. Most of us, some of us in the room, if not all senators that have been complaining about this, have voted for the Hyde Amendment many, many times. But now my colleagues on the left think this abortion issue is good for a campaign, and that’s what this shouldn’t be about. I’m not going to let our military be politicized.” Tuberville also addressed General Mark Milley in the SASC committee meeting about the military’s failure to hit its recruiting goals. “Given what we’ve put our troops through in the past two years, it’s no wonder that the Army missed its goal last year by 15,000 soldiers,” Tuberville said. “General, you know, that is an entire division. We can’t afford that. And it’s getting worse. The Navy and Air Force will probably miss their numbers this year. Yet some of my colleagues claim that the real crisis is my hold on the promotion of 158 generals and flag officers. Mind you, these were promotions that the majority leader can bring to the floor at any time. Those same people claim expanding abortion will make our military stronger. You know, I want to be clear on this. My hold has nothing to do with the Supreme Court decision to the access of abortion. This is about not forcing the taxpayers of this country to fund abortions. That’s been a bipartisan consensus for more than 40 years.” “I ran for Senate to serve on this committee,” Tuberville stated. “I ran because of my dad. He was a World War II veteran, and he earned 5 Bronze stars and a Purple Heart. And he died on active duty. I ran to support our warfighters. We owe our freedom to our troops. For fifty years, our all-volunteer force has answered the call. I think you would agree to that. Since 1973, we’ve asked a lot of America’s young volunteers to fight in Vietnam, Grenada, Bosnia, Somalia, Iraq, Libya, Syria, and Afghanistan. They’ve never wavered. In boom times and in bust, young Americans have raised their right hands to defend the Constitution with their lives, if necessary.” “There are a number of things happening globally that indicate that we could be in a contest on any one given day,” Sec. Austin said. “Not approving the recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through the force that makes us far less ready than we need to be.” Sen. Tuberville is single-handedly blocking a handful of military promotions to protest a Pentagon directive that allows service members to provide abortion services to soldiers even in states like Alabama that have banned abortions. Tuberville is holding up 160 promotions, which usually sail through the Senate Armed Services Committee. “Clearly, on the DoD policy, I absolutely agree with Sen. Tuberville,” said Sen. Roger Wicker, the ranking Republican on the committee. “That said, there are a lot of military positions that need to be filled, and so we’re working with leadership and Sen. Tuberville to see what can be resolved.” HASC Chairman Jack Reed warned that Tuberville’s blockade would disrupt the military “at the highest levels,” but some Republicans are cheering on the former college football coach from the sidelines. Senator Tommy Tuberville represents Alabama in the United States Senate and is a member of the Senate Armed Services, Agriculture, Veterans Affairs, and HELP Committees. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mike Rogers and James Comer say DOD failed to protect servicemembers private information
On Friday, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee Mike Rogers and Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform James Comer released a statement saying that they are “disappointed’ with the Department of Defense for failing to protect servicemember records after receiving a response from the DoD on the matter. “The Department of Defense failed to protect the private information of our servicemembers,” Rogers and Comer wrote. “To publicly rectify this unacceptable mistake, we hoped DoD would provide full transparency in their response – unfortunately, full transparency is not what we received.” “We are extremely disappointed in DoD’s inadequate response to our questions,” Rogers and Comer wrote. “We asked Secretary (Lloyd) Austin for information on all servicemembers who had their records improperly released to the Democrat-aligned research firm Due Diligence Group. However, DoD only provided our committees with answers from the Department of the Air Force, despite public reporting that DDG attempted to gather information from other services.” “DoD’s response did not give us confidence that all services have put safeguards in place to ensure that servicemembers’ private information is not mishandled,” Rogers and Comer stated. “DoD also failed to provide our committees with information on what actions were taken with the individuals involved in the mishandling of servicemember records and if criminal referrals have been made. We will be demanding the Secretary provide full transparency and accountability on this matter. It is imperative the Secretary take every action possible to ensure this egregious incident will never happen again. We will continue to fight on behalf of our servicemembers and their privacy.” This follows recent public reports that the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (OSAF) improperly released information from several servicemembers’ personnel files to political operatives. The released information includes at least two Members of Congress, reportedly released to an opposition research firm Due Diligence Group that received money from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). Congressman Chris Stewart and House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan last week sent a letter to U.S. Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall demanding information on the breach of servicemembers’ personal information without their knowledge or consent. “The Committee on the Judiciary and the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government are investigating the mass collection and dissemination of information about American citizens by federal agencies,” Stewart and Kendall wrote. “Following reports last fall, Members of Congress, including Congressman Stewart, corresponded with Air Force Inspector General Lieutenant General Stephen Davis regarding the steps his office is taking to investigate the circumstances of this improper release of personnel materials. Recent public reports have disclosed that the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (OSAF) improperly released information from several additional servicemembers’ personnel files to political operatives. As alleged in the reporting, this is a serious breach of law and servicemember privacy. To advance our oversight and to inform potential legislative reforms, we write to request information about this serious breach of our servicemembers’ personal information.” Mike Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Rep. Mike Rogers and colleagues warn that Russians are helping China obtain plutonium
On Thursday, House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers, House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul, and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner urged National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, to utilize the full application of sanctions, export controls, and diplomacy, to hinder the nuclear cooperation between Russia’s Rosatom and China. In the letter, Rogers and the other Chairmen wrote, “Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation, Rosatom, is helping the People’s Republic of China (PRC) acquire enough weapons-grade plutonium to fuel its strategic nuclear breakout. Beyond fueling the PRC’s strategic nuclear breakout, then-U.S. Strategic Command commander Admiral Charles Richard called “breathtaking,” Rosatom helps fuel Putin’s war efforts in Ukraine. We call on the Administration to view this cooperation for what it is, a direct threat to U.S. security and more evidence that Russia and China are working in tandem against the United States. The Administration should use all tools at its disposal to stop Rosatom and the PRC’s dangerous cooperation.” “Despite these malign activities, Rosatom’s position in the global market is only getting stronger,” Rogers et al. wrote. “The longer we wait to act, the more difficult it will be to address Rosatom’s nefarious and malign dealings. Putin uses these funds to fund his war machine and keep his favorite weapons programs on schedule. In short, every dollar and euro that Rosatom brings in directly finances the death and destruction we see in Ukraine, China’s nuclear weapon expansion, and is a direct threat to the American way of life.” The chairmen say in the letter is based on “Our classified correspondence from earlier this year.” “Russia’s role in China’s nuclear energy program is well documented,” the Chairmen wrote. “Rosatom opened an office in Beijing in 2016 and partnered extensively with the PRC’s China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC) on major projects worth billions. On May 19, 2021, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin tuned in via video link to witness the commencement ceremony of two of the countries’ major nuclear energy cooperation projects, the Tianwan Nuclear Power Plant and Xudabao Nuclear Power Plant.” “Rosatom now appears to be supplying equipment and highly enriched uranium (HEU) for the PRC’ CFR-600 sodium-cooled fast breeder nuclear reactors, which will produce plutonium, fissile material critical to the PRC’s nuclear breakout,” the Chairmen wrote. “Russian deliveries of HEU to the PRC are slated to begin this year. The Department of Defense’s 2022 report to Congress on the Military and Security Developments Involving the People’s Republic of China noted the key role that increased weapons-grade plutonium production is key to the PRC nuclear program, stating: “The PRC is also supporting this expansion by increasing its capacity to produce and separate plutonium by constructing fast breeder reactors and reprocessing facilities.” The DoD report also cites the CFR-600 reactors and notes that each will be capable of producing “enough plutonium for dozens of nuclear warheads annually.” This buildup puts the PRC in violation of Article VI of the NPT, requiring states to make good-faith efforts to cease an arms race and to engage in good-faith arms control negotiations. Make no mistake, the PRC and Russia’s actions constitute an acceleration of their ongoing arms race.” According to the U.S. Intelligence National Threat Assessment, “China is building hundreds of new ICBM silos.” “Moscow continues to develop long-range nuclear-capable missile and underwater delivery systems meant to penetrate or bypass U.S. missile defenses,” said the report. “Russia is expanding and modernizing its large, diverse, and modern set of nonstrategic systems, which are capable of delivering nuclear or conventional warheads because Moscow believes such systems offer options to deter adversaries, control the escalation of potential hostilities, and counter U.S. and allied conventional forces.” In response to China and Russia’s modernization of their strategic forces, including the development of hypersonics, the U.S. is rushing to deploy hypersonics. The U.S. Air Force is expected to deploy Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, a boost-glide vehicle, as soon as this fall. Russia has begun deploying its conventionally armed Kinzhal hypersonic missiles in Ukraine. Kyiv says that it is unable to defend itself against the strikes. Rogers is in his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
Mike Rogers and Jim Banks seek answers on how Covid-19 vaccine mandate impacted service members
In January, Congress overturned the military COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Now Congressmen Mike Rogers, Chairman of the powerful House Armed Services Committee (HASC), and Jim Banks, the Chairman of the HASC Subcommittee on Military Personnel, have sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin seeking answers on the impact of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate on servicemembers. Rogers and Banks expressed their displeasure that the Department of Defense has been slow to respond to HASC committee inquiries. “A letter of December 23, 2022, requested ‘your plan to implement this statutory requirement.’ Your four-sentence reply to the letter on January 26, 2023, failed to include any implementation plan,” Rogers and Banks wrote. “Additionally, staff has repeatedly asked for answers to many COVID-19 rescission questions critically important to the retention and recruitment of men and women in each of the armed services.” “We write to express our concern over the lack of clarity provided to the Armed Forces and to the American people related to your memorandum announcing the Department of Defense’s (DoD) rescission of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate,” Rogers and Banks continued. “While we acknowledge and appreciate your rescission memorandum writ large, many questions remain and have gone unanswered regarding the implementation of the rescission.” The Congressmen have asked for answers to a series of questions: · The COVID-19 rescission implementation plan, including implementing guidance and responsibilities within the Department of Defense and the Military Departments · The COVID-19 rescission strategic communication plan to the Armed Forces · The number of discharges that occurred between the signing of the NDAA and the time of your rescission directive · The treatment of potential recruits and accessions who have not taken the COVID-19 vaccine · The effect of the COVID-19 rescission on civilian personnel, including any changes to the current travel policy · The number of discharges for the roughly 6000 Active Component servicemembers and 2000 Reserve Component servicemembers separated because of the mandate, broken down by rank, years of service, and date separated (as well as their discharge characterization) · The number of servicemembers required to pay back bonuses, the average amount to be repaid, and the amount already repaid · Whether DoD policy still requires repayments of bonuses · The number of National Guard members prevented from drilling because of the mandate, including the number of drills missed and amount of time they were prevented from drilling · Reasons why DoD stopped reviewing accommodation of requests from servicemembers who sought vaccination exemptions · Whether service academies have fully removed vaccine mandates for students and faculty · Whether any students at the service academies were refused diplomas due to failing to abide by the prior vaccine mandate, and if so, whether the academies will be making these students whole by providing diplomas and clear student records upon or following graduation · Whether DoD has reinstated any servicemembers forced out for failure to abide by the vaccine mandate, and DoD’s plan for ensuring that reinstatement is offered to any separated servicemembers; and, Austin has issued a memorandum overturning the mandate following passage of a National Defense Authorization Act requiring him to do so. The rescission mandate written states, “no individuals currently serving in the Armed Forces shall be separated solely on the basis of their refusal to receive the COVID-19 vaccination if they sought an accommodation on religious, administrative, or medical grounds.” The wording of this memorandum prompted more specific questions from Rogers and Banks: · Does this directive of your rescission memorandum mean that unless servicemembers submit an accommodation request, they are still required to receive the COVID vaccination? · Are potential military recruits required to submit an accommodation request to avoid being forced to receive the COVID vaccine? Rogers and Banks are requesting that the Department of Defense provide answers to these questions to the Committee no later than February 21, 2023. “Answers to these questions are crucial for Congress to fulfill its appropriate oversight responsibilities and provide any required legislative relief,” Rogers and Banks wrote. “Please note, many of the questions or requests for information presented above have gone unanswered for weeks, if not months. The Department and the Biden Administration must no longer refuse to respond to requests for information from this Committee.” The Committee on Armed Services has oversight jurisdiction over the Department of Defense. Many members of the military have expressed concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine. Despite this vaccine hesitancy, Austin, at the direction of President Joe Biden, instituted a blanket mandate requiring service members, Department of Defense civilian employees, and even all the employees of defense contractors receive the vaccine. Some members of Congress have suggested that the mandate has adversely affected morale and led to the forced separation of many soldiers, sailors, and airmen. Mike Rogers was recently elected to his eleventh term representing Alabama’s Third Congressional District. To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email brandonmreporter@gmail.com.
