Democrats can force women to register for the draft.
Women may be forced to register for selective service if a provision endorsed by Democrats passes the United States Senate.
The Democratic-controlled House of Representatives passed its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in September, which included a provision that would require women to enroll in military conscription.
Representative Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), who introduced the draft amendment, explained its rationale saying, “Women have had to constantly fight for a level playing field, and this change is a step in the right direction.”
While the United States requires men between the ages of 18 and 26 to register for draft, no one has been drafted for military service since 1973. Congress ordered registration for the draft in 1980. A year later, the Supreme Court held that women could not register for conscription because they were not eligible for combat roles within the military.
However, combat roles were opened to women in 2015. This change in military policy was not reflected in the Selective Service System, as women are currently not required to register.
Most Americans disapprove of mandatory blueprint registration for women. An Ipsos survey found that 45 percent of Americans are in favor of recruiting women.
Although there is no popular support for this proposal, many Democratic politicians still support the idea.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) said Axios, “much of the trajectory of women in the military is based on the experience they can accumulate, in particular combat experience.” “It makes sense to me that everyone is eligible for the Selective Service,” he added.
Many Republicans oppose the effort by Democrats to require women to register for the draft. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) is leading a Senate amendment that would remove the draft of the NDAA provision. About a dozen Republican senators have assisted Hawley’s efforts for various reasons, such as women’s safety or national security implications.
Senate Republicans who oppose the idea find themselves aligned with unusual allies on the far left wing of the Democratic Party. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) voted against the 2022 NDAA when it was brought before the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) spoke out against the idea on Twitter, saying: “Our military has welcomed women for decades and is stronger for it, but America’s daughters shouldn’t be drafted. Against his will”.
The Senate is currently considering the 2022 NDAA, and a decision on the draft provision is expected to be made before Congress goes into recess on December 11.