The Senate on Tuesday confirmed 425 military nominees after a nearly 10-month hold over Department of Defense nominations in the upper chamber, NBC News reported.
The confirmation came after Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., decided to lift his hold on the majority of military promotions, particularly on nominees at three-star rank.
“I’m releasing everybody. I still got a hold on, I think, 11 four-star generals. Everybody else is completely released from me,” Tuberville told reporters. “But other than that, it’s over.”
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomed the move and mentioned the impact of the monthslong holds on military readiness, including the need for some military officials to assume two jobs simultaneously.
“We also look forward to the Senate’s confirmation of the remainder of our highly qualified and apolitical military leaders, so that America can have the fully fielded team it deserves during this critical moment for our national security,” added Austin, a three-time Wash100 awardee.
