Key DOD nomination hearings slated for next week; Tuberville's blockade continues

Nomination hearings have been scheduled for next week for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Brown, who has been picked to be the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and Army Vice Chief Gen. Randy George, who has been selected to be the service's next chief of staff, according to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Brown’s hearing is scheduled for July 11, while Geroge’s hearing is slated for July 12.

Both Brown and George, however, are set to run into Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s (R-AL) monthslong nomination blockade, which is already holding up hundreds of military appointees and promotions, including Gen. Eric Smith, who has been tapped to serve as Marine Corps commandant. The current commandant, Gen. David Berger, is scheduled to retire July 10, leaving the Marine Corps without a top leader for the first time since 1859.

Tuberville is holding the nominations over his objections to the Pentagon’s leave and travel policies related to servicemembers seeking abortion services.