Statements and voting records from the U.S. Senate

Pete Hegseth Affirms Women Can Serve in Combat if Standards Remain High

Jan 14, 2025, 04:10 PM

At his confirmation hearing, Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth defended his past comments on women serving in combat roles, emphasizing that his concerns are about maintaining high standards rather than gender capabilities. Under questioning from Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Hegseth stated, "It's not about the capabilities of men and women; it's about standards... standards that we have seen eroded over time." He also highlighted that "the weight of the M240 machine gun does not change," reinforcing his point about the physical demands of combat roles. When questioned by Senator Joni Ernst, Hegseth affirmed, "Yes, women will have access to ground combat roles given the standards remain high." He added, "Whether it's a man or a woman, they have to meet the same high standards." Hegseth acknowledged the indispensable contributions of women in the military and emphasized that rigorous, equal standards across the board ensure the military's strength and readiness.