U.S. House committee deadlocks on women-in-combat fitness standard amendments
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two opposing amendments on gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Houlahan’s amendment to bar gender-based exclusion and require scientific justification for fitness changes tied 28-28. Rep. Higgins’ amendment for sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards with higher combat thresholds failed 29-25. The debate follows Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s order for gender-neutral standards, which critics view as a step toward limiting women in combat.
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Debate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments addressing gender-neutral fitness standards failed in committee. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have prohibited excluding service members from combat roles based on gender and required scientific backing for fitness changes. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment sought sex-neutral, age-adjusted standards for all troops with higher standards for combat roles. The amendments follow Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order to develop gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, reflecting his stated belief that women should not serve in combat. Hegseth has ordered a review of women's effectiveness in combat roles. Houlahan's amendment failed in a 28-28 tie, and Higgins' failed 29-25, with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans casting the deciding vote against both.
Navy TimesDebate Over Women in Combat Roles Sparks NDAA Amendment Battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments related to gender-neutral physical fitness standards and women in combat failed in committee. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have barred excluding service members from combat roles based on gender and restricted changes to fitness standards without scientific backing, while Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment would have required sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards for all troops and higher standards for ground combat positions. The amendments stem from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's September 2025 order to develop gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, a move aligned with his stated opposition to women in combat. Houlahan's amendment tied 28-28, failing under committee rules; Higgins' failed 29-25. Rep. Don Bacon sided with Houlahan, while Rep. Jennifer Kiggans voted against both. Undersecretary Anthony Tata launched a review of women in ground combat, later reassigned to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Air Force TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a marathon House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two proposed amendments regarding gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles sparked fierce debate. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-Pa., proposed an amendment to prohibit exclusion based on gender and restrict changes to fitness standards without scientific justification. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-La., proposed sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards with higher requirements for ground combat positions. Both amendments followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s order to implement gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, consistent with his stated opposition to women in combat. Houlahan’s amendment failed in a 28-28 tie; Higgins’s failed 29-25. Lawmakers including retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Don Bacon sided with Houlahan, while former Navy pilot Rep. Jennifer Kiggans voted against both. The debate reflects ongoing tensions over women’s roles in the military.
Navy TimesDebate over women in combat roles prompts battles in NDAA markup
During the House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), two amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards sparked debate, reflecting broader tensions over women in combat roles. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) proposed prohibiting gender-based exclusion from military specialties and requiring scientific backing for changes to fitness standards. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) offered an amendment mandating sex-neutral, age-adjusted standards with higher requirements for combat roles. Both amendments failed, with Houlahan's tie at 28-28 and Higgins's loss at 29-25. The amendments respond to Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order developing gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, following his stated belief that women should not serve in combat. Hegseth has ordered a formal review of women's effectiveness in ground combat, reassigned to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory. Lawmakers like Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) and Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va.) expressed opposing views, with Kiggans' vote against both amendments proving decisive on Houlahan's proposal.
Navy TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards and women in combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have prohibited excluding service members from combat roles based on gender and required scientific backing for fitness standard changes. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment would have mandated sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards with higher requirements for ground combat positions. The amendments follow Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order for gender-neutral standards, which critics view as a step toward limiting women's combat roles. Hegseth has publicly stated women should not serve in combat. Houlahan's amendment failed in a 28-28 tie, with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans casting the deciding vote against it. Higgins' amendment failed 29-25. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over women's roles in the military.
Marine Corps TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two proposed amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan’s amendment would have barred excluding service members from combat roles based on gender and required scientific justification for fitness changes. Rep. Clay Higgins’ amendment would have mandated sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards with higher thresholds for ground combat roles. Both amendments followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth’s September 2025 order requiring all services to develop gender-neutral standards for ground combat troops, a move critics see as a step toward limiting women's combat roles. Houlahan’s amendment failed on a 28-28 tie, with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans casting the decisive 'No' vote. Higgins’ amendment failed 29-25. Rep. Don Bacon opposed Higgins' amendment, arguing universal standards would unnecessarily disqualify many service members. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over women's integration into combat positions.
Marine Corps TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards and women in combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment sought to prohibit gender-based exclusion from combat roles and restrict changes to fitness standards without scientific backing. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment proposed sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards with higher requirements for ground combat positions. Both amendments followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order to develop gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, reflecting his stated belief that women should not serve in combat. Houlahan's amendment tied 28-28, and Higgins' failed 29-25, with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans casting the decisive vote against both. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over women's roles in the military and the implementation of new physical fitness standards.
Air Force TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have barred gender-based exclusion from occupational specialties and required scientific backing for fitness changes. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment proposed sex-neutral but age-adjusted standards. Both followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order for gender-neutral standards, which critics see as a step toward limiting women in combat. Hegseth has publicly stated women should not serve in combat roles. Houlahan's amendment tied 28-28; Higgins' failed 29-25. Rep. Jennifer Kiggans voted against both, citing existing policy allowing all genders in any role. The debate reflects ongoing tensions over women's roles in the U.S. military.
Army TimesDebate over women in combat roles sparks NDAA amendment battles in House committee
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two competing amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards in the military failed to advance. One amendment by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) sought to prohibit exclusion from combat roles based on gender and limit Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's ability to change fitness requirements without scientific backing. Another by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) would require sex-neutral, age-adjusted standards for all troops and higher standards for combat positions. The amendments follow Hegseth's order requiring gender-neutral standards for ground combat roles, which critics see as step toward barring women from combat. Both amendments failed on near-party-line votes (28-28 tie and 29-25), reflecting deep divisions. Hegseth has publicly stated women should not serve on front lines. The Pentagon has also commissioned a new study on women in combat roles.
Marine Corps TimesDebate over women in combat triggers NDAA amendment battles
During a House committee markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments reflecting opposing views on women in combat roles failed to advance. Representative Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have barred gender-based exclusion from any military specialty and restricted changes to physical fitness standards without scientific backing. Representative Clay Higgins's amendment would have mandated sex-neutral but age-adjusted fitness standards, with higher standards for ground combat roles. The amendments come after Secretary of War Pete Hegseth ordered gender-neutral physical standards for combat roles, a move critics say aims to limit women's service. Republican Don Bacon sided with Houlahan, while Republican Jennifer Kiggans voted against both amendments. Houlahan's amendment tied 28-28 and failed; Higgins's failed 29-25. The debate reflects broader tensions over women in combat and Hegseth's stated opposition to women serving on the front lines.
Air Force TimesWomen in Combat Debate Sparks NDAA Amendment Battles
During House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments addressing women in combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have barred gender-based exclusions from military specialties and blocked gender-neutral fitness requirements outside combat roles unless supported by scientific findings. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment would have mandated sex-neutral but age-adjusted fitness standards with higher requirements for ground combat roles. Both followed Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's September 2025 order for gender-neutral physical fitness standards in ground combat jobs, reflecting his publicly stated belief that women should not serve in combat. Houlahan's amendment tied 28-28, failing under committee rules; Higgins' failed 29-25. The debate highlights ongoing tensions over women's roles in the military, with Undersecretary of War Anthony Tata commissioning a formal review of women's effectiveness in ground combat, reassigned to Johns Hopkins APL.
Military TimesDebate over Women in Combat Prompts NDAA Battles Over Gender-Neutral Standards
During the House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), two proposed amendments addressing gender-neutral physical fitness standards for combat roles failed to advance. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan's amendment would have prohibited exclusion from any military occupational specialty based on gender and restricted changes to fitness requirements unless supported by scientific findings. Rep. Clay Higgins' amendment called for sex-neutral, age-adjusted standards with higher requirements for combat positions. The amendments follow Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's order for gender-neutral standards, reflecting his stated belief that women should not serve in combat roles. Houlahan's amendment failed on a 28-28 tie, with Rep. Jennifer Kiggans casting the deciding no vote; Higgins' amendment failed 29-25. Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Don Bacon sided with Houlahan, arguing uniform standards across all jobs would be impractical. Hegseth has ordered a review of women's effectiveness in ground combat, now assigned to Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory.
Army TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, two amendments related to gender-neutral physical fitness standards failed to pass committee. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) proposed prohibiting exclusion from combat roles based on gender and blocking Secretary of War Pete Hegseth from imposing gender-neutral fitness standards for non-combat roles unless scientifically justified. Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) proposed sex-neutral but age-adjusted fitness standards with higher requirements for combat roles. These amendments follow Hegseth's September 2025 order for gender-neutral ground combat fitness standards, consistent with his stated view that women should not serve in combat. Hegseth has ordered a formal review of women's effectiveness in ground combat, now assigned to Johns Hopkins University. Houlahan's amendment failed in a 28-28 tie; Higgins' failed 29-25. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) sided with Houlahan, while Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va.) voted against both. The debate highlights ongoing congressional tension over women's roles in the military.
Military TimesDebate over women in combat prompts NDAA battles
During a House markup of the Fiscal 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), two amendments regarding women in combat roles failed to advance. One amendment by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) aimed to prohibit gender-based exclusion from combat specialties and restrict Secretary of War Pete Hegseth from imposing gender-neutral fitness standards on non-combat roles. Another by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) sought sex-neutral, age-adjusted physical standards across all troops with higher requirements for ground combat positions. These amendments follow Hegseth's order for gender-neutral physical standards for combat roles, which critics see as a step toward limiting women's military service. Houlahan's amendment failed in a 28-28 tie, while Higgins' failed 29-25. Rep. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Va.) voted against both, noting existing policy allows women in all roles. Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) sided with Houlahan, arguing uniform standards would unnecessarily disqualify many service members.
Military Times