"McConnell and Defense Secretary criticize Tuberville's hold on military promotions"

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has broken with Sen. Tommy Tuberville over his blanket hold on more than 180 non-political military promotions, which Democrats say is keeping qualified people out of key roles. Tuberville has held up the promotions of 184 general and flag officers for weeks to protest the Defense Department’s abortion policy. Seven former secretaries of Defense sent a letter to the Senate last week warning the hold on promotions is “harming military readiness and risks damaging U.S. national security.” McConnell said he doesn’t support the blockade of military promotions but added “as to why” they’re not moving, “you need to ask Sen. Tuberville.”