Defense Secretary Leon “Panther” Panetta grabbed the spotlight earlier today with his surprise announcement that the Pentagon would lift the ban preventing women from serving in combat roles, but Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.) wasn’t happy that Congress wasn’t briefed on the news first.
Not that Army veteran Inhofe is opposed to the idea of women serving in combat; rather, he’s afraid the lack of details means that “a broad opening of combat roles for women” isn’t likely anytime soon.
Ranking member Sen Jim Inhofe said he does not believe Pentagon will have a 'broad opening of combat roles for women' http://t.co/lFR7Pgje
— Tim Mak (@timkmak) January 23, 2013
Sen Inhofe, senior GOP-er on SASC, criticizes Pentagon on lifting combat ban for women because it "leaked" decision B4 briefing lawmakers.
— Jonathan Landay (@JonathanLanday) January 23, 2013
Wait, did Inhofe just call female soldiers "broads"? MT @ACapaccio Inhofe says DoD decision wont result in "a broad opening of combat roles"
— Nima Shirazi (@WideAsleepNima) January 23, 2013
Briefed or not, Inhofe’s colleague Sen. McCain was quick to lend his support Pantetta’s decision.
I respect and support Secretary Panetta’s decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat. Full stmt: http://t.co/t7y7u67U
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) January 23, 2013
I respect and support Secretary Panetta’s decision to lift the ban on women serving in combat. The fact is that American women are already serving in harm’s way today all over the world and in every branch of our armed forces. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, and our nation owes them a deep debt of gratitude. As this new rule is implemented, it is critical that we maintain the same high standards that have made the American military the most feared and admired fighting force in the world – particularly the rigorous physical standards for our elite special forces units.
Inhofe himself noted from experience that men and women have similar skill sets.
More Inhofe: "As a flight instructor, I have flown with both men and women, and their skill sets are the same."
— Niels Lesniewski (@nielslesniewski) January 23, 2013
Join the conversation as a VIP Member