Senate Democrats Want Women to Enter the Draft, but Republican Representatives Are Fighting Back

Senate Democrats are attempting to require women to register for the draft. But a group of Republican lawmakers are aiming to stop them. 

Reps. Chip Roy, R-Texas, and Mary Miller, R-Ill., led a group of 22 Republican lawmakers in opposition to efforts that would force women to register for Selective Service. 

The group wrote a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Thursday. 

They wrote, “Forcing young women to register for the Selective Service is an affront to our nation’s values and does not enhance military readiness – the only metric by which Congress should measure an [National Defense Authorization Act]. This is yet another blatant attempt to advance a divisive agenda that seeks to eliminate all distinctions between males and females.” 

The lawmakers addressed the effect this change to Selective Service would have on American families. 

“Under no circumstances should the House of Representatives greenlight a future that cripples the American family by sending mothers and daughters to the frontlines – drafted to be combat replacements for casualties on the battlefield – while fathers and sons stay home,” the Republican lawmakers said. “A country that pursues radical social ideology over basic principles will not remain a strong, resilient nation.” 

The group called on Johnson to oppose the provision.  

“This radical proposal has been defeated in the past and must be defeated once again,” the Republican lawmakers said. 

Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed, D-R.I., defended the Selective Service proposal.

“Women are doing a remarkable job in our forces today, and if we were in a situation requiring a draft, I think we would need all able-bodied citizens 18 and above,” Reed told The Hill.

The National Defense Authorization Act approves funding and delegates resources for the U.S. military and other critical defense priorities every year. On June 13, The Senate Armed Services Committee voted 22-3 to advance the NDAA for Fiscal Year 2025 to the Senate floor. 

Although this Act is critical in equipping U.S. servicemembers, the group of Republican lawmakers said they do not agree with the provision that would require women to register for Selective Service. 

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