Ernst leads the charge on military promotions

Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville has for months held up more than 400 military nominations for promotions to protest a policy that pays costs for personnel who must travel to have an abortion.

Last week, it was clear Tuberville’s Republican colleagues have had enough.

In an extraordinary series of events on the Senate floor, Republicans heaped criticism on Tuberville. And among the senators leading the charge was Republican U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa.

Ernst, a former commander in the U.S. Army Reserve and Iowa National Guard, read the credentials of officers’ whose promotions are being held up by Tuberville. Individual senators can place a hold on nominations, but Tuberville’s stand is unusual in its impact and scope.

Ernst and other senators sought individual votes on promotions, but Tuberville objected. Ernst argues Tuberville had once pledged he would accept such votes.

“I really respect men of their word. I do not respect men who do not honor their word,” Ernst said.

Ernst contended that Tuberville’s blockade is hurting military readiness and sending a damaging signal to America’s adversaries.

“They have done everything they possibly can and given more than most for their country. Duty and honor, their service, sacrifice for this nation. And what is this body — this nation — doing to them? This will be remembered. It’s a dark evening. This will be remembered, Ernst said.

Of course, Ernst is right. Tuberville’s holds have become an embarrassment to the Senate and a frustrating obstacle for the nation’s armed services. At a time when international crises demand the nation and its military’s attention, Tuberville’s stand is a debilitating distraction.

Although the floor fight mounted by Ernst and other Republicans did not break the logjam, the pressure has pushed Tuberville to the bargaining table. On Tuesday he met with a group of five senators including Ernst to find a compromise.

Ernst deserves considerable credit for doing the right thing, although we wish Republicans had acted sooner to repudiate Tuberville’s reckless actions. We hope Ernst is able to find a way out of the impasse.

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