Tommy Tuberville suggests he'll back down as Senate pushes on military promotions: report

Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) has staked his reputation on his protest against military promotions prompted by the Pentagon's abortion policy — but now there's a vote on it, he's suggesting he'll back down.

Tuberville was miffed that the military allows soldiers to have time off to have an abortion. They also pay for their travel if the medical procedure can't be done in the state where they are stationed, meaning pregnant soldiers seeking abortion services are allowed travel funds to go out of state.

Tuberville used his filibuster power in the U.S. Senate to block hundreds of military promotions over the past year, that led to compromising the nation's military readiness.

In one case, the head of the Marines was doing his job as well as his deputy's because a promotion was being held — a work an 18-hour work day that critics blamed for a heart attack. Tuberville responded by saying he works just as hard and never had a heart attack and later told military leaders to "delegate" like he does.

After a year's worth of frustration, the Senate was considering making dramatic changes to marginalize Tuberville. He quickly backed off.

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At the beginning of December, lawmakers on both sides were able to convince Tuberville to stop his protest. Still, he held onto barring promotions of four-star generals, though allowed others to move through.

The Senate is now considering an extended session to push through the rest of the military officials.

According to CNN's Manu Raju, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said that the Senate “will not leave town” until the final 11 military nominees blocked by Tuberville are confirmed.

And Tuberville said he might decide just to back down completely, making that unnecessary.

You know, sooner or later we're gonna let them go through, you know?" he told Politico Tuesday.

"I've given 99 percent of them. But you'd think they would say OK, what are we gonna do to get these last 11? I've heard from nobody.

He said he might not object because “we're to the end of the year."

Reporters speculated if Tuberville would turn up at all, as he apparently missed a vote Monday. He was in D.C. on Tuesday though.