WASHINGTON, DC—Tonight, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), the Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after several Senate Republicans took to the Senate floor for hours to implore Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) to allow votes on the merit-based promotions of dozens of U.S. military officers:

“Tonight, Senator Tuberville’s obstinacy was once again exposed.  Senate Republicans took the honorable step of holding the Senate floor for hours, attempting to promote dozens of individual officers by Unanimous Consent requests. 

“Despite claiming for months that he would allow individual votes on military promotions, Senator Tuberville blocked every single promotion that was requested.

“After tonight, one has to wonder why Senator Tuberville persists in his obstruction, which only benefits America’s enemies.

“Over the last ten months Senator Tuberville has undermined our military readiness and callously mistreated military families. 

“My Republican colleagues and I may disagree on policy, but I admire the patriotism of the Senators who spoke up tonight.  They demonstrated their commitment to faithfully serve those who volunteer and sacrifice so much to defend our nation.

“Senator Tuberville has had ample opportunity to do the right thing and change course.  Members of his own party have counseled him to put the welfare of our troops and the safety of the American people above his own political ambitions.  He has refused. 

“Only willful ignorance or stubborn hubris could lead Senator Tuberville to continue to stick with this tactic.  My colleagues on both sides of the aisle must work together to bypass him.”