CV NEWS FEED // Over 5,000 former and current military service members signed a letter in support of Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-Ala.) blocking of Defense Department appointments until the Biden administration stops funding military service member abortions.
The letter, published July 18, addressed to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, voiced support for Tuberville’s recent actions on the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Since March, Tuberville has blocked the nominations of senior defense department officials, forcing them to undergo a lengthy, time-consuming senate confirmation process. Tuberville has blocked the appointments to protest a Defense Department measure that uses taxpayer funds to provide abortions for current military service members.
Tuberville argues that the military’s funding of abortions is illegal because it violates the 1976 Hyde Amendment, which banned the use of federal funds to cover almost all abortions.
Tuberville has received backlash from both Democrats and Republicans, who argue that his refusal to approve appointees is a national security threat.
The letter, signed by 4 members of the House of Representatives and 5,000 service members, praised Tuberville’s efforts and said that his move does not jeopardize military readiness.
“While some claim that Sen. Tuberville’s position is negatively impacting military readiness, the Department of Defense has failed to present any evidence that substantiates this claim. To the contrary, it appears true that the politicized agenda of Secretary Austin and the Biden administration are significantly diminishing military readiness,” the letter said.
The letter decries the military’s support of abortion and affirms the dignity and sacredness of all human life.
“There is no truth more profound than the fact that all human life is sacred. The mission of the United States Military is to defend and protect all American lives – not subsidize the practice of destroying innocent and vulnerable American children via abortion with taxpayer dollars,” the letter reads.
The service members voice their unwavering support for Tuberville and said that he “is doing a great service for the American people – including its service members.”
While Tuberville has drawn fire in Washington, his actions have found favor with not only members of the military, but with the people that elected him, according to an article published by The Hill. The article says that his dispute with the Defense Department has strengthened his popularity in Alabama.
“I think he’s doing better because of it,” said Rep. Barry Moore (R-Ala.). His constituents “love the fact that he’s standing [up]. … I think that [Tuberville] is going to benefit from it.”
