House Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) has taken a principled stand in co-sponsoring legislation to prevent the Army officials from forcing female soldiers in or near land combat units. With the support of Military Subcommittee Chairman John McHugh (R-NY), Hunter successfully inserted language into the 2006 Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 1815) that would codify Defense Department regulations that exempt women from involuntary assignments in or near land combat units.

During a one-hour debate in the full committee on May 18, which culminated in a voice vote along partisan lines, Hunter and McHugh successfully led the committee in defeating several attempts by Democratic committee members to strike or weaken the legislation. The current Hunter/McHugh Amendment, which would simply codify current Defense Department regulations governing personnel policies in all branches of the military, is more comprehensive than an earlier version that was approved by the Military Personnel Subcommittee (9-7) on May 11, which applied only to the U.S. Army.

During the debate Chairman Hunter expressed frustration with Army officials who had provided three different “fact sheets” on the numbers of female soldiers already assigned to land combat-collocated forward support companies in the 3rd Infantry Division, which re-deployed to Iraq in January. Chairman McHugh stressed the importance of congressional oversight, and challenged members who opposed the Hunter/McHugh amendment to make the case for allowing the Army to assign women in or near land combat units without congressional oversight or approval.

Rep. Heather Wilson (R-NM) is expected to make that attempt during floor debate on the bill, which will occur prior to the Memorial Day recess. HASC member Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA) is rallying support for the Hunter/McHugh amendment, which would not close any positions currently open to women. Members of Congress who will vote on the legislation can be reached through the website of the House of Representatives at www.house.gov.

The Center for Military Readiness has prepared an analysis of Frequently Asked Questions about the legislation. Please click here, or on the link below, to review that information.