CQ Brown finally confirmed to Senate after Tuberville blocked over military abortion policy

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In April, Mr Tuberville wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, accusing the Biden administration of putting “the taxpayer on the hook for travel and paid time off for service members, wives and other dependents to get elective abortions.” He added, “I will maintain my hold on nominations until the Defense Department changes its policy and follows the Constitution.” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen CQ Brown, Jr. speaks about U.S. defense strategy at the Brookings Institution in Washington in February But on Wednesday Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer forced a vote on Gen Brown and two others, both of whom are also expected to be confirmed. When asked whether the Alabama senator had any comment on the Senate circumventing his blockade, a spokesperson for Mr Tuberville told The Independent: “The Senate didn’t ‘circumvent his blockade.’ Coach forced the Senate to act.” The Independent also asked about Mr Tuberville’s thoughts on the confirmation itself, to which the spokesperson replied, “Coach voted no on General Brown.” He was one of eight senators to vote ‘no’ — three didn’t vote. “Let’s do one at a time or change the policy back,” Mr Tuberville said after the Senate majority leader put up the three nominations for a vote. “Let’s vote on it.” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said that while Gen Brown’s confirmation is great progress, “we should have never been in this position.” “While good for these three officers, it doesn’t fix the problem or provide a path forward for the 316 other general and flag officers that are held up by this ridiculous hold,” Mr Kirby said on Wednesday.