Washington: For the first time in more than a century, the US Marine Corps lacks a confirmed commander after a single Republican senator refused to support about 250 military promotions in opposition to the Pentagon's abortion policy.

General Eric Smith, the Marine Commandant General's deputy, will take over from him as of today, but Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville has declined to formally confirm the change in command, which calls for unanimous approval. Marine Commandant General David Berger retired on Monday

As a result of a new Defence Department abortion rule that provides paid leave and reimbursement for service members who travel to another state for an abortion, the senator has blocked promotions ever since March. Approximately 250 promotions, including top positions, have been put on hold due to the protest, which could result in the Joint Chiefs of Staff being without a chairman when General Mark Milley retires in September.

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Smith will serve as acting president while the Senate considers his nomination because it is unclear when he will be confirmed. The last time the Marines had an acting commander was in 1859, when Archibald Henderson, their fifth and longest-serving commandant, passed away at the age of 76 without a successor.

Tuberville claimed in a last-month op-ed piece for the Washington Post that his ban on promotions has not hurt "military readiness," saying it has no effect on "the people who actually fight" and "affects only those at the very top." He has promised to keep the policy on hold until it is officially codified into law or abandoned.

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Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin criticised Tuberville's actions and emphasised the need for "smooth and timely transitions of confirmed leadership." Tuberville's protest, according to Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh, sets a "dangerous precedent" and will have a "ripple effect throughout the department."

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Similar to how the White House has stated that postponed promotions are "a threat to our national security," several high-ranking Democrats have taken the same position. Republican senators, such as minority leader Mitch McConnell and Louisiana lawmaker Bill Cassidy, have also made an effort to distance themselves from Tuberville's strategies. Cassidy urged senators to "make sure that we're not sacrificing readiness."