Who at Fort Liberty is being held up by Congress' stall on military confirmations

At least 10 Fort Liberty officers are impacted by the Senate hold on military confirmations that started earlier this year.

The holds, which have been led by Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, have received support from some of his Republican colleagues including North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd.

Tuberville's move is in response to an October 2022 directive from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin authorizing the Department of Defense to provide leave and cover travel costs for service members traveling out of state for an abortion.

Austin issued the directive after the Supreme Court’s June 2022 ruling to overturn Roe v. Wade and allow individual states to decide whether abortion would remain legal in their jurisdiction.  

In an October 2022 memo, Austin said the Supreme Court ruling impacted access to reproductive health care for service members, along with recruiting and retention.  

Austin’s directive establishes travel and transportation allowances for service members and their dependents if a reproductive health care service like abortion is not available near their local permanent duty station.

Delays 'hurt our military's readiness'

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing in March, Budd asked Austin if he would consider reversing policies authorizing uncharged absences and travel expenses for service members who travel out of state for abortions.

Austin said the policy does not fund abortions.

“This policy provides access to non-covered reproductive health care, and as I said earlier, almost one in five of our troops are women,” he said.

Budd said taxpayer dollars are “ultimately funding” the absences and travel.

“Until these policies are rescinded, I’m going to have to also consider holds against DOD nominees in solidarity with my colleagues. Mr. Secretary, you can fix this,” Budd told Austin.

In a Nov. 2 statement, Austin reiterated that delaying confirmations for the military’s top leaders "has hurt our military’s readiness and unnecessarily weighed down our military families, who already give up so much to support those who serve.”

“We continue to urge the Senate to take swift action on the remaining nominations so that these American heroes can lead our team in keeping our country safe,” Austin said.

Senate confirms two critical military officers, despite Tommy Tuberville's abortion protest

Who's impacted at Fort Liberty?

According to the DOD, as of Nov. 6, 448 general and flag officers are awaiting confirmation by the Senate.

Fort Liberty officers impacted include Maj. Gen. Christopher LaNeve and Brig. Gen. James “Pat” Work, congressional records state.

While LaNeve will relinquish command of the 82nd Airborne Division to Work on Friday, according to and 82nd Airborne Division media advisory, both are awaiting promotions.

President Joe Biden recommended LaNeve for a promotion on Nov. 1, according to congressional records.

Other Fort Liberty brigadier generals awaiting promotions after a Sept. 21 nomination from Biden include:

•  Brig. Gen. Lawrence G. Ferguson, commander of the 1^st Special Forces Command.

• Brig. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Army Forces Command.

• Brig. Gen. Colin P. Tuley, deputy commander of the 18^th Airborne Corps.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Stacy Babcock, chief of staff of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, has been awaiting a promotion since the president’s Jan. 23 recommendation.

Other Fort Liberty officers awaiting promotions, according to congressional records include:

• Col Sara E. Dudley, deputy finance and comptroller officer for the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.

• Col. Andrew O. Saslav, deputy commander of operations for the 82^nd Airborne Division.

• Col. Joseph W. Wortham II, who is assigned to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

• Col. John B. Hinson, commander of the 3^rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command.

Staff writer Rachael Riley can be reached at rriley@fayobserver.com or 910-486-3528.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: At least 10 Fort Liberty officers impacted by confirmation hold