A friend's take on the Senate confirming promotions one-by-one:
"every one of these promotions would take 30 hours of debate on the floor with no other work getting done. Tuberville would force a cloture vote and once passed 30 hours, debate is required. You could only get a handful done in a week even if the Senate went 24 hours a day. That is not an acceptable alternative."
As far as reigning in the administration, we're talking about a "loophole" so that those who didn't achieve as much electoral success can essentially nullify the effect of some elections. "Yes you had a majority of the votes, but we know better."
Perhaps your friend ought to have read what I wrote: "While an onerous and time-consuming process, Senate Democrats could certainly apply it to some of the more egregious situations, like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, several service chiefs, and a number of three and four star operational commanders." I suggested MAYBE 15 out of 300, clearly not an "alternative", but a means to clear up some of the more important logjams.
I agree that ultimately the uniforms may be discomforted with Senator Tuberville's actions. But the administration has to be reigned in with any means available, and the Senator has found a loop hole.
I appreciate the balance you provide to the abortion argument.
Net is for me - if it’s truly a choice, whether you’re a civilian or military, it’s your job to pay for it regardless of your circumstances. Life isn’t easy or even fair.
But if you support choice, then as a choice it’s on you. Any federal dollars used for travel is used for abortions and is in violation of the Hyde Act.
That said, the left has always wanted to repeal the Hyde Amendment.
And to be consistent, what don’t they want the government to pay for.
The larger issue is $32 trillion in debt. A huge national security problem.
They’ve shown, and the GOP to a lesser extent, zero concern about income versus expenses. Hence the debt.
This is an emotional issue that hides the bigger problem. And that’s politics.
Man, Continetti is spot on about the so called New Right! At what point do we stop playing their game and pretending that they’re on the Right anymore? Most of them are leftists and the ones who aren’t are Buchananites - Buchanan parted ways with the conservative movement in the 1990s only to “return” when Trump came on the stage.
I agree that they could approve promotions individually, and should given the situation....BUT the elephant in the room for me is why one Senator can even come close to doing what one guy from a small state is allowed to do. (Alabama has about 1.5% of the nation's population) The filibuster is another example of watering down the interests of the voting public ( tyranny of a minority) but to allow one Senator to do this? There must be a fair number of "Senate rules" that need to be scrapped. Reminds me of the Old Testament where the religious leaders inserted their own "rules" to supercede divine guidance.
Your view proceeds from a serious flaw, one addressed in the article. The generals and admirals impacted by Sen T's holds do not make the objectionable policies. Political civilians do.
I understand that O-my god level officers salute smartly and implement policies given to them by their civilian leadership. Straddling the boundary of politics has been a no-no in the handbook since General Horatio Gates tried his hand at dabbling. Congress holds the power of the purse and if Sen. T wished to oppose this use of funds Constitutionally then he would be offering amendments to that effect, and they would be called to a vote. Knowing that he can offer all he wants and it ain't getting a floor vote, Sen. T's second option would be to ONLY hold up Senate confirmation of civilian DoD positions. It looks like there are a couple of vacancies, though I'm not sure anyone in D.C. cares whether the NSA has an IG. I think we are somewhat in agreement that this is political and shouldn't be. I see no quick end. My apologies to your good friends. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Department_of_Defense_appointments_by_Joe_Biden
I'm not terribly upset about the right honorable Sen. Tuberville's block on promotions. Probably because I do not have close friends being affected like you do. Our Constitution established a system of civilian control over the military - a big old wart right in the middle of the nose. Even worse (or better, YMMV), it requires that monies to operate the government go through the Congress. He who pays the piper calls the tune. It gets us some interesting politics. Specifically, from the Navy POV, to me this brings back shades of Congress dabbling in ADM Rickover's career, much to the chagrin of the DoD. They had to step in when he was passed over back in 1958. Even in 1973 when he was going up for his fourth star, the bombastic Otis Pike was a critic, justifying his opposition that there were too many 4-stars already. Snort!
When it is politically necessary for negotiations to begin, they will. There are likely horses being lined up for swapping by staffers outside of the public eye. I expect the impasse to be resolved very quickly once there are any signs of public reconciliation. Until such signs are there, I would agree with you that the obvious window is January of 2025.
A friend's take on the Senate confirming promotions one-by-one:
"every one of these promotions would take 30 hours of debate on the floor with no other work getting done. Tuberville would force a cloture vote and once passed 30 hours, debate is required. You could only get a handful done in a week even if the Senate went 24 hours a day. That is not an acceptable alternative."
As far as reigning in the administration, we're talking about a "loophole" so that those who didn't achieve as much electoral success can essentially nullify the effect of some elections. "Yes you had a majority of the votes, but we know better."
Perhaps your friend ought to have read what I wrote: "While an onerous and time-consuming process, Senate Democrats could certainly apply it to some of the more egregious situations, like the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, several service chiefs, and a number of three and four star operational commanders." I suggested MAYBE 15 out of 300, clearly not an "alternative", but a means to clear up some of the more important logjams.
Agreed.
I agree that ultimately the uniforms may be discomforted with Senator Tuberville's actions. But the administration has to be reigned in with any means available, and the Senator has found a loop hole.
I appreciate the balance you provide to the abortion argument.
Net is for me - if it’s truly a choice, whether you’re a civilian or military, it’s your job to pay for it regardless of your circumstances. Life isn’t easy or even fair.
But if you support choice, then as a choice it’s on you. Any federal dollars used for travel is used for abortions and is in violation of the Hyde Act.
That said, the left has always wanted to repeal the Hyde Amendment.
And to be consistent, what don’t they want the government to pay for.
The larger issue is $32 trillion in debt. A huge national security problem.
They’ve shown, and the GOP to a lesser extent, zero concern about income versus expenses. Hence the debt.
This is an emotional issue that hides the bigger problem. And that’s politics.
And I have a daughter in the Navy.
Correct. Thanks.
Man, Continetti is spot on about the so called New Right! At what point do we stop playing their game and pretending that they’re on the Right anymore? Most of them are leftists and the ones who aren’t are Buchananites - Buchanan parted ways with the conservative movement in the 1990s only to “return” when Trump came on the stage.
I agree that they could approve promotions individually, and should given the situation....BUT the elephant in the room for me is why one Senator can even come close to doing what one guy from a small state is allowed to do. (Alabama has about 1.5% of the nation's population) The filibuster is another example of watering down the interests of the voting public ( tyranny of a minority) but to allow one Senator to do this? There must be a fair number of "Senate rules" that need to be scrapped. Reminds me of the Old Testament where the religious leaders inserted their own "rules" to supercede divine guidance.
Your view proceeds from a serious flaw, one addressed in the article. The generals and admirals impacted by Sen T's holds do not make the objectionable policies. Political civilians do.
Sorry--this applies to NEC338X below
I understand that O-my god level officers salute smartly and implement policies given to them by their civilian leadership. Straddling the boundary of politics has been a no-no in the handbook since General Horatio Gates tried his hand at dabbling. Congress holds the power of the purse and if Sen. T wished to oppose this use of funds Constitutionally then he would be offering amendments to that effect, and they would be called to a vote. Knowing that he can offer all he wants and it ain't getting a floor vote, Sen. T's second option would be to ONLY hold up Senate confirmation of civilian DoD positions. It looks like there are a couple of vacancies, though I'm not sure anyone in D.C. cares whether the NSA has an IG. I think we are somewhat in agreement that this is political and shouldn't be. I see no quick end. My apologies to your good friends. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Department_of_Defense_appointments_by_Joe_Biden
I'm not terribly upset about the right honorable Sen. Tuberville's block on promotions. Probably because I do not have close friends being affected like you do. Our Constitution established a system of civilian control over the military - a big old wart right in the middle of the nose. Even worse (or better, YMMV), it requires that monies to operate the government go through the Congress. He who pays the piper calls the tune. It gets us some interesting politics. Specifically, from the Navy POV, to me this brings back shades of Congress dabbling in ADM Rickover's career, much to the chagrin of the DoD. They had to step in when he was passed over back in 1958. Even in 1973 when he was going up for his fourth star, the bombastic Otis Pike was a critic, justifying his opposition that there were too many 4-stars already. Snort!
When it is politically necessary for negotiations to begin, they will. There are likely horses being lined up for swapping by staffers outside of the public eye. I expect the impasse to be resolved very quickly once there are any signs of public reconciliation. Until such signs are there, I would agree with you that the obvious window is January of 2025.