U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin Statement on Pentagon Allowing Transgender Americans to Serve Openly in U.S. Military

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin released the following statement in response to Defense Secretary Ash Carter’s announcement that transgender individuals will be allowed to serve openly in the United States military:

“Today, our nation has taken another important step forward by ensuring that qualified, transgender Americans can openly serve the country they love. Breaking down this barrier is a historic action for transgender service members, who will no longer be forced to serve in silence. I applaud Secretary Carter for his leadership in taking this step to make our Armed Forces stronger and staying true to our American values of fairness and equality for all.”