The U.S. reported that a carrier strike group is being sent closer to Israel in solidarity with the country. They'll be supplying munitions beginning Sunday, said President Joe Biden's Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
At the same time, however, the U.S. is missing a naval operations commander, which is part of Sen. Tommy Tuberville's (R-AL) protest.
Retired U.S. Navy Commander Phil Ehr posted on the social media site previously known as Twitter that the problem comes at a time when Israel is under attack and Republican infighting led to the Speaker of the U.S. House being removed.
There are 300 military promotions being held up by Tuberville, but there are also empty positions that can't be filled due to Tuberville. Among them is the chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
“If the Biden administration wants their nominees confirmed then Senate Democrats can do what Coach just did in September and file a cloture petition to force a vote,” said Tubberville spokesperson Steve Stafford in a statement. The term "Coach" refers to Tuberville's previous life in sports.
Indeed, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) could hold an individual vote for each of the promotions and staff positions. It would require a 60-person majority to break Tuberville's filibuster, and then a majority vote to approve the nominee. Such a move would take "hundreds of hours of floor time for each one," NBC News reported.