Congressman Kinzinger Supports Women in Combat
By: Marty Kasper
Updated: January 24, 2013
ROCKFORD - he pentagon lifts it's almost 2-decade old ban preventing women from serving combat roles in the military.
With the pentagons decision Thursday to officially lift
the ban baring women from serving in combat positions in the military, the last
remaining barrier to a fully inclusive military has been passed.
But now the different branches of the armed services
and congress must weigh in on the decision.
The ban keeping woman from being in active combat
roles has been in place since 1994. Opponents
of the decision say they worry lifting the ban could create a sexually charged
atmosphere, and they also worry women won't be able to pass the physical
requirements.
But 16th District
Congressman Adam Kinzinger says he supports the decision if woman are held to
the same standards that men are.
"I think every woman would agree, that women
need to be held to the same performance standards as men, and if they are, lets
bring them in," said Kinzinger.
The Army and Marines will
present their plans on how to integrate women into combat roles to Congress this
May.
