WASHINGTON (NEWSnet/AP) — Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama says he is ending his blockade of hundreds of military promotions, clearing the way for hundreds to be approved.

Tuberville serves on the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

His blockade, now lasting several months, of hundreds of military promotions involved a dispute about a Pentagon abortion policy. He disagreed with a policy paying for travel that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin put into place in October 2022, after the Supreme Court ended constitutional protection for abortion and the availability of such procedures went into a state-by-state situation.

Almost 400 military nominations have been in limbo due to Tuberville’s blanket hold on confirmations and promotions for senior military officers. It’s a stance that has left key national security positions unfilled and military families with an uncertain path forward.

He had even faced criticism from other members of the Republican party as the standoff continued.

Tuberville said Tuesday he’s “not going to hold the promotions of these people any longer.”

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