WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) joined her Democratic colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee in sending a letter to President-Elect Trump’s incoming Chief of Staff Susan Wiles questioning Pete Hegseth’s qualifications to be the next Secretary of Defense. The letter cites Hegseth’s attitudes toward women, opposition to women in combat, and allegations of sexual assault and harassment as potential reasons for his disqualification.
“Experts tell us that meeting current recruiting goals and building the cutting-edge force we need for the future requires recruiting more women to the force,” wrote the Senators. “Mr. Hegseth’s ill-informed views ignore the significant role women have played in combat roles for the United States of America. His dismissal of women as warfighters drives away both potential recruits and women who are already serving in the armed forces.”
“The allegation that Mr. Hegseth sexually assaulted a woman and personally contributed to creating a hostile work environment for female employees raises severe concerns about his ability to address the Department of Defense’s problems with sexual assault,” the Senators continued.
The full letter can be found HERE.
Senator Rosen has been a strong advocate for women servicemembers and women veterans. Earlier this year, she helped introduce a bipartisan resolution commemorating Women Veterans Appreciation Day. She also led a bipartisan group of senators in urging the administration to recognize female veterans’ combat service in Iraq and open their access to appropriate benefits. Last year, Senator Rosen held a roundtable discussion in Reno on efforts to support women veterans.
###
