Senate confirms remaining military nominees after Tuberville removes holds

The Senate voted last night to confirm 11 senior military nominees after the capitulation of Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), who brought defense confirmations to a near standstill earlier this year because he was protesting the Pentagon's travel and leave policy for servicemembers seeking abortion services.

Tuberville, after being pressed for weeks by fellow Republicans who said he was endangering national security, removed a blanket hold earlier this month on more than 400 military nominees. He continued his holds on four-star promotions until last night.

Tuberville, however, has said he will continue to hold the Pentagon’s civilian nominees.

The Pentagon, at the direction of the White House, has not changed its abortion access policy.

Meanwhile, those newly confirmed include three combatant commanders: Gen. Stephen Whiting to be chief of U.S. Space Command, Gen. Gregory Guillot to be chief of U.S. Northern Command and Gen. Timothy Haugh to be chief of U.S. Cyber Command.

Four service vice chiefs were also confirmed: Lt. Gen. James Mingus for the Army, Vice Adm. James Kilby for the Navy, Lt. Gen. James Slife for the Air Force and Lt. Gen. Michael Guetlein for the Space Force.

Other nominees include Vice Adm. Stephen Koehler to lead the Pacific Fleet, Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider to lead Pacific Air Forces, Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach to lead Air Combat Command and Vice Adm. William Houston to lead the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program.