‘Is There an Objection?!’ John Fetterman Laughs at Spectacle He’s Presiding Over in the Senate
Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) could only laugh at having to repeatedly recognize the spate of objections from Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who continued preventing hundreds of military nominees from being confirmed by the Senate on Thursday.
Tuberville is blocking more than 400 Department of Defense nominees because of a Pentagon policy reimbursing service members’ out-of-state travel costs when they obtain abortions. President Joe Biden enacted the measure when the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade last year and some states began banning abortion. The provision ensures that service members stationed in states where the practice is illegal do not have to cover travel expenses out of pocket.
Most of the military appointments Tuberville is holding would normally be confirmed via unanimous consent. However, Tuberville said he will continue blocking them until Biden rescinds the policy.
On Thursday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) attempted to get a slew of nominees confirmed, only to have Tuberville object every time. At one point, it was Fetterman’s turn in the chair and Kaine continued attempting to confirm nominees:
FETTERMAN: Is there objection?
TUBERVILLE: Mr. President.
FETTERMAN: From the senator from Alabama
TUBERVILLE: I object.
FETTERMAN: Objection is heard.
KAINE: Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar Item 227, Captain John E. Byington to be rear admiral, lower half.
FETTERMAN: [sighs] Is there objection?
TUBERVILLE: Mr. President.
FETTERMAN: The Senator from Alabama.
TUBERVILLE: I object.
FETTERMAN: Objection is heard.
KAINE: Mr. President, I ask that it be in order to make the same request with respect to Calendar Item 228, Captain John A. Robinson III to be rear admiral, lower half.
FETTERMAN: [laughs, shakes head] Is there an objection?!
TUBERVILLE: Mr. President.
FETTERMAN: The Senator from Alabama?
TUBERVILLE: I object.
FETTERMAN: Objection is heard.
Kaine attempted to confirm nominees for the next 23 minutes while Tuberville continued objecting and Fetterman continued hearing them.
Tuberville has drawn heat from Democrats and Republicans in the Senate. Last week, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) even scolded him on the Senate floor.
Watch above via C-SPAN 2
