steve centanni has more. >> reporter: some say women aren't strong enough, and others say they've provenhemselves time and time again. in any case, it's now official, women will be able to serve along side men on the front lines, opening up doors to advancement along the military chain of command. many insist there's a basic question of physical capability. >> i think the evidence is clear, that combat effectiveness, when women are put in these blanding roles -- commanding roles, they break down. there is a difference in physicality of women and men. they're not in the nfl. olympic athletes compete by gender, not against each other. >> reporter: women have been serving in certain combat roles for years in iran and afghanistan. >> bottom line is we need to treat people like individuals. what are the capabilities they bring to the fight, which includes physical strength, plus courage, plus aptitude, plus leadership, and all the other things we need to have the most effective fighting force. so we are a country that sets standards and allows people to compete as individuals. if they bring t

our steve centanni is live with the news tonight in washington. eve, what is the argument against women serving in combat. >> well, people say it could lead to problems with unit cohesion and combat readiness, but with the stroke of a pen last week, as you mentioned, harris, outgoing panetta made it official, women can serve with men on the front lines. and some argue, there's a basic question of physical strength in combat situations. when women are put in those kind of demanding roles, they begin to break down. there's difference in the the physicality of women and men. they're not in the nfl. olympic athletes compete by gender. >> reporter: others claim women suffer more combat casuals and illnesses as men and pregnancy could be an issue as well, harris. >> harris: who are the supporters of women in combat? >> well, it's people like senator john mccain, a vietnam veteran himself and member of the ranking armed services committee. here is what he had to say. >> i think women are obviously are prepared to serve side by side with men in combat. i j

steve centanni looking at this. >> reporter: the debate continues, even though the policy has changed to acam the reality of today's military. women have been serving in certain combat roles for years. but with the stroke of a pen, last week, outgoing defense secretary leon panetta made it official -- women can serve alongside men on the front liance. some opponents say this could lead to problems with unit cohesion and combat readiness. >> my issue here is, mixing the genderses in infantry units and armored units and special forces units is not a positive. there are many distracters which puts a burden on the small unit combat leaders and actually creates an environment because of their living conditions that is not conducive to readiness. >> reporter: others claim women suffer more combat casualties than illnesses and pregnancy is an issue. to senator john mccain, it's equal standards for certain demanding jobs. >> i think women are obviously -- are prepared to serve side by side with men in combat. i just want to emphasize, though, there should be the same physical and mental stand

and steve centanni is doing a heck of a job with this. mentioned steve, there was history of the building itself is also very significant? >> reporter: oh, of course. this is the national cathedral where many state events have on about held. funerals for presidents. speeches by famous people and by world leaders and woodrow wilson is buried here. he is the only president who is buried here. and it took nearly 100 years to complete construction of the building. it is one of the largest cathedrals in the world, a lot of people don't realize that. also a big tourist attraction here in washington, d.c., and a maintain stay of the nation's spiritual awareness. today one of the most important events of the inauguration will take place here in just a few hours. martha: it sure will, steve. get inside. it is freezing out there. we're told it is 20 degrees but feels like five degrees outside. thus the hat and chilly voice and we thank you very much, steve centanni for that coverage. boy, oh, boy. bill: with all due respect to our colleague --. mart

bill: steve centanni, leads our coverage. he is live in washington. what happens exactly today, steve? good morning. >> reporter: well, good morning, bill. a bipartisan group of eight senators will unveil its new immigration proposal here on capitol hill. it is a plan as you said that lays out a path to citizenship for 11 million undocumented immigrants and tighter border security and better employment verification. democrats on the panel are chuck schumer of new york, dick durbin of illinois and bob menendez of new jersey and colorado's michael bennet. republicans are john mccain, south carolina's lindsey graham, marco rubio of florida and jeff flake of arizona. this comes as president obama flies to las vegas to outline his vision for immigration. senator durbin says immigration reform, a comprehensive plan is long overdue. >> we are committed to a comprehensive approach to finally in this country have an immigration law we can live with. we've virtually going for 25 years without a clear statement about immigration policy. that is unacceptable in th

shannon. >> steve centanni, thank you very much. here for a fair and balanced debate, republican congressman and a democratic congresswoman. welcome to you both. >> thank you, good morning. >> congressman, where do you stand on this debate? >> well, i have for probably the last four or five years, put forth a bill saying there should be equality and opportunity for women in the military. we have seen over the last 11 years, women in both iraq and afghanistan. in many cases, there is no front line in these battles and they have proven themselves worthy of being there. they have been in combat. yet they haven't received the recognition for it. when you are a commander and you need to get a mission done, what we have seem in iran and -- iscprak afghanistan, they have chosen the best soldier or marine they needed in whatever position they had. in some cases, that has been women. so they have the experience now and they are the ones that are saying, hey, you know, let me choose who i need in that unit to get the mission done. this will a

today's inauguration ceremony, carl cameron is at the national mall and first, let's start with steve centannie white house this morning, good morning, steve. >> reporter: good morning, all the pomp and ceremony begin a few hours from now, as president obama officially begins his second term. but of course, his official swearing-in ceremony already took place, as you just saw, that happens yesterday. since january 20th, the official inauguration day fell on a sun this year. the swearing in took place at the white house and ceremonial event including another swearing in and the inaugural address all take place on the west front of the u.s. capitol. now, the event yesterday in the blue room of the white house, included the president and his family, it was a small affair. mr. obama sworn in by chief justice john roberts who used notes to avoid the repeat of the slightly bungled oath four years ago. and last night, the president was at a candlelight ceremony at the museum and here is part of his remarks at that event. >> and we're committed to the basic notion that when we put our shoulders to the

steve centanni is live on this for us in washington this morning. so what are they saying about this exactly, steve? >> reporter: well, martha, the north koreans are promising there will be a another test in defiance of the latest united nations resolution and it will be a nuclear test of a higher level according to the korean government. the north last month successfully launched a satellite that put it into orbit. it was a test of technology that could one day deliver a nuclear warhead capable of hitting targets as far as away as the u.s. north korea's top governing the body, the national defense commission, warned today of another test coming of a higher level they say. and their declaration in part says a new phase of the anti-u.s. struggle that has lasted century after century will target against the u.s., the sworn enemy of the core reason people. setting the u.s. requires force not words as jungle law as the rule of its survival. reference to higher level nuclear test most likely refers to a device made from highly-enriched uranium which is ea