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Armed Services Committee Chairmen Statement On Decision To Open All Combat Positions To Women

Statement

Date: Dec. 3, 2015
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Women Defense Military Personnel

Today, Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-TX) and Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), Chairmen of the Armed Services Committees, made the following statement upon the announcement by the Department of Defense to open combat positions in the U.S. military to women:

"Secretary Carter's decision to open combat positions to women will have a consequential impact on our service members and our military's warfighting capabilities. The Congress has an essential Constitutional role to make rules for the government and regulation of our nation's armed forces. Moreover, by law, the Congress has a 30-day period to review the implications of today's decision. The Senate and House Armed Services Committees intend to carefully and thoroughly review all relevant documentation related to today's decision, including the 1,000-page Marine Integrated Task Force report. We expect the Department to send over its implementation plans as quickly as possible to ensure our Committees have all the information necessary to conduct proper and rigorous oversight. We also look forward to receiving the Department's views on any changes to the Selective Service Act that may be required as a result of this decision."


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