WASHINGTON (WCAX) – New Hampshire Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander is co-sponsoring legislation to codify women’s role in the U.S. military.

Goodlander on Friday announced the “WARRIOR Act” in response to repeated comments from the Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth about women’s ability to serve in combat roles.

The legislation would prohibit gender-based exclusion and apply military standards to all genders.

“To put it plainly, we are the land of the free because we are the home of millions of women who have worn the uniform, who have raised their hand, sworn an oath to our Constitution, put their lives on the line, answered the call to serve,” Goodlander said.

Goodlander served as an intelligence officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve.

It comes as The New York Times on Friday reported that Hegseth has blocked the promotion of four Army officers to be one-star generals — two of them women — a highly unusual move that has prompted some senior military officials to question whether their race or gender played a factor.

https://www.wcax.com/2026/03/27/goodlander-introduces-bill-codify-womens-military-service