Roughly 93,000 women veterans live in Georgia, many having seen combat

Women in U.S. military make up about 17 percent of active-duty troops

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and 21 of his Senate colleagues introduced a resolution honoring the service of women in combat roles in the U.S. Armed Forces. The resolution comes as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Defense (DoD), Pete Hegseth, continues to face criticism for his long record of denigrating women servicemembers who bravely serve our nation in combat roles.

The senators’ resolution “recognizes the contribution, bravery, and sacrifices of women serving in combat roles in the Armed Forces; and encourages the continued celebration of the achievements of women in the Armed Forces to inspire future generations,” noting specifically that:

• Women have honorably served in the Armed Services with distinction since the Revolutionary War;
• The Department of Defense announced the opening of all military occupations and specialties to women in December 2015;
• Women have received numerous commendations for their service in combat after September 2001, including Bronze Stars and Silver Stars;
• Since September 11, approximately 3,000 women have earned Combat Action Badges and Combat Action Ribbons;
• Women in the military serve in special forces units, including as Army Rangers, Air Force Special Operators, and in the Marine Corps Special Operations Command.

As the son of a veteran, Senator Warnock has long been a champion for veterans, servicemembers, and military families. In the National Defense Authorization Act of 2025 Senator Warnock helped secure a 4.5% pay raise for servicemembers, funds to strengthen Georgia’s military installations and base communities, and much more. Last year, Senator Warnock introduced legislation to expand and protect the workplace rights of VA health care workers, he also secured critical wins allowing surviving spouses of fallen servicemembers to maintain key military benefits. In 2022, Senator Warnock helped to pass the bipartisan PACT Act, the largest expansion of veterans’ health benefits in decades.

In addition to Senator Warnock, the resolution was authored by Senators Patty Murry (D-WA) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), and cosponsored by Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Chris Coons (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Tina Smith (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The resolution can be viewed HERE.

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