While in Box Elder, an assistant secretary for the Department of Defense is encouraging US Senators to move forward with military promotions in Congress.
Those promotions are on hold due to efforts by an Alabama senator, whose efforts one South Dakota senator said they support.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama is stalling a Senate process to approve military promotions due to the Department of Defense’s recent reproductive health policy.
That policy allows for military member stationed in states that do not allow abortions official travel to obtain the procedure. South Dakota’s near-total abortion ban went into effect the moment the US Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade.
Christopher Lowman is an assistant Secretary of Defense for Sustainment. After a tour of Ellsworth Airforce Base and VRC Metals in Box Elder, Browning said the DoD is concerned with Tuberville’s hold on military promotions.
“Certainly, the department is concerned about the hold and the lack of ability to fill key leadership position across the department," Lowman said. "We would encourage the Senate to confirm these particular leaders as quickly as possible.”
Senate Republican Minority Whip John Thune previously said he supports Sen. Tuberville’s block on promotions.
Standing next to Lowman in same press conference, Republican Sen. Mike Rounds did not say whether he supports the hold, but respects his fellow Republican’s ability to do so.
“Part of the issue is the Department of Defense has taken a position with regard to the funding of travel for abortion different than what they did before. The senator who has a hold on this says he believes they should modify that position,” Rounds said. “We respect his ability to do that. But we hope this can be resolved by reasonable people both at the department level and by working with the senator.”
No promotions at Ellsworth Airforce Base are currently on hold. The Senate is scheduled to reconvene Sept. 5.
