Draft eligibility for women a sticking point in defense bill
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The U.S. military has not activated a draft in more than 50 years, but Congress is currently debating whether to change the process.
The proposals would expand the draft to women for the first time and automatically register those eligible for conscription.
"I think we'll take that out," said Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, who is leading the charge against the idea. "I don't think the draft will be reimplemented any time soon."
Senate Democrats added the proposed requirement for women to the annual defense spending bill, arguing it is in the best interest of national security to include all able-bodied citizens ages 18 to 25 in the draft.
However, the proposal is not gaining traction among Republicans.
"It is outrageous," said Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.).
"I would be very much opposed to that," said Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.).
Boozman said the proposed requirement is unnecessary.
"We've got a lot of men and women that are willing to serve and so right now, that's working fine," he said.
The Pentagon has warned Congress it is facing recruitment challenges as conflicts around the world escalate.
"We live in a very dangerous world, but we're not in a sense of national emergency," Boozman said.
Defending the idea, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), the top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee, told The Hill, "If we go to a draft, we're in a serious, serious situation."
A separate proposal in the spending bill would make registering for the draft automatic. Most states already do this for eligible men when they get a driver's license or apply for college.
"We can recruit good young men and women in the military without a draft," Wicker said.
Wicker argues Congress should instead focus on pay raises and better recruiters for the military.
None of the proposals would activate the draft. The president would ultimately have to do that, which last happened in 1973 at the end of the Vietnam War.