WASHINGTON—Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) took to the Senate floor late last night to urge an end to the partisan blockade of merit-based promotions, which have indefinitely stalled the nominations of hundreds of senior U.S. military officials. Led by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Sen. Welch and others spoke on the Senate floor to outline the detrimental effects this hold has on national security. The hold, placed by Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) in February of this year, has delayed the promotion of 273 highly qualified military nominees. 

“How can a Senator take an action that’s going to cause so much trauma for innocent people, including the children of people who’ve earned the distinction of a promotion. This has got to end.  

It’s got to end because the citizens of this country are entitled to a functioning military, and a single Senator cannot or should not intrude on the promotion process.  

It has got to end so we show respect for families and the burden that goes along with moving from where you are to the next duty station.  

I join with my colleagues in calling upon the Senator from Alabama to stand down and let us act on these promotions.  

Our men and women in the military deserve it. Our military needs it. And the citizens of this country are entitled to it.” 

Senators Welch and Reed were joined by Senators Angus King (I-ME), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Elizabeth Warren (D-ME), and Tim Kaine (D-VA).  

To view video of Sen. Welch’s remarks, please click the image below.  

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