Civic Register
| 9.15.21

House Defense Bill Would Require Women to Register for the Military Draft - Do You Agree?

Should women be required to register for the draft?

What’s the story?

  • The House is expected to consider the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2022 next week, and this year’s edition of the annual defense authorization includes a controversial provision that would require women to register for the military draft.
  • The House Armed Service Committee marked up its version of the NDAA last week and the overall bill advanced out of committee on a bipartisan vote of 57-2, although the amendment requiring women to register for the draft was adopted on a much closer vote. 
  • Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), an Air Force veteran, offered the NDAA amendment to include women in the Selective Service System and made the argument that the draft is currently unconstitutional because it discriminates based on sex. It was adopted on a bipartisan vote of 35-24 which saw lawmakers from both sides of the aisle break ranks with most of their party. 
  • Most Republican lawmakers opposed the amendment but five voted in favor: Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), a retired Marine Corps general; Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY); Rep. Pat Fallon (R-TX), an Air Force veteran; Rep. Scott Franklin (R-FL), a Navy veteran; and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL), the first Green Beret to serve in Congress. All Democrats except for one voted in favor of the amendment: Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ)  
  • The Selective Service is the organization tasked with organizing and conducting a military draft at a time of national mobilization, although a draft hasn’t occurred since early 1973 and the U.S. military functions as an all-volunteer force. If a draft is called, potential draftees are assigned a lottery number and examined by the military for their mental, physical, and moral fitness before being deferred or exempted from military service or inducted into the Armed Forces.
  • Current law requires men to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of their 18th birthday, or within 30 days of entering the U.S. in the case of male immigrants. All men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required to be registered. 
  • Failure to register with Selective Service is a felony that can lead to five years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, or ineligibility for things like federal student loans, federal jobs or job training, or U.S. citizenship in the case of non-citizens.


— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: U.S. Army via Flickr photo by Australian Army W02 Andrew Hetherington - Combined Team Uruzgan Public Affairs / Creative Commons)

  • 26
    David
    09/29/2021

    Equal is equal. Men MUST register for the draft for college grants Not requiring women to register is sexist, misogynistic thinking from two generations ago. It is no easier to lose a son than a daughter.

  • 27
    Chips
    09/27/2021

    America needs a mandatory draft, 1 year military service, 1 year service of your choice, be it community, environmental, or forestry, governments, after completing, paid for college education. Less than 1 % join the voluntary military, we as a nation have lost the sense that we are one peoples in this country

  • 33
    Jaylene
    09/26/2021

    Not until they can make the men in the military act like men. Not bullies not rapist not control freaks. When the men learn how to act properly respectfully and equally to each and every person in the military. We don’t have to defend your bullshit. We are not going to be raped and molested belittled Or listen to racist bigots. It’s not a man’s world anymore we all have rights no matter what sex we are no matter Sex we choose to be no matter our color no matter where we came from. When you respect our rights we will fight for your country because then it will be our country to.

  • 90
    Sherrin
    09/26/2021

    The blend of skill sets would be a positive if we could at the same time enact, promote and enforce the ethical, moral and practical treatment of this decision.

  • 21
    Susan
    09/24/2021

    The government is non-supportive of women as it is. We are treated as second class citizens. Even in the domestic military, women are harrased, ridiculed, raped and killed. They can volunteer, if they choose to do so, but be drafted? Definitely NOT!!

  • 724
    Billy
    09/23/2021

    Why would we want to prevent them

  • 162
    Milan
    09/23/2021

    How about we end the draft for men - let’s look towards peace and move away from war mongering

  • 38
    Maddy
    09/23/2021

    Put us in the military when we get equal pay and the basic right to own our bodies. Until then, go fuck yourselves.

  • 34
    09/22/2021

    To fight for your country in time of war it’s not a gender thing, it’s a citizen responsibility.

  • 98
    Mark
    09/22/2021

    Nobody should have to register for the draft.

  • 94
    Steve
    09/21/2021

    I HOPE ALL THE DEMOCRAT KIDS ARE DRAFTED. THEY VOTED FOR THIS ASSWIPE. YOU GET WHAT YOU WANTED.

  • 23
    Karen
    09/21/2021

    No one should be drafted.

  • 32
    Lori
    09/19/2021

    There is no reason why we should bar women from the draft. Women have served and continue to serve with pride. It’s time we allow for equality for women, too!

  • 77
    Joshua
    09/20/2021

    We should remove the draft completely, not expand it.

  • 1,254
    justiceforamerica
    09/20/2021

    Hell yes! Open their mouths and get what you ask for. Die in planned attacks our own government was involved in (Afghanistan). Let rapes continue from politicians who should be working for us i.e., doing what we tell you to do - are letting criminals of all types flood into the country. Good job A...Holes..

  • 198
    San
    09/19/2021

    I know how this sounds but I don’t believe in the Draft. Forcing people to fight without the heart to do so is a recipe for suicides and extremists. People not of the right mindset for war will come home broken. Not just for a few months but for their lifetime.

  • 37
    S.
    09/19/2021

    I oppose the draft for both genders. Why would I support a proposition that would endanger a larger portion of the population than it already does? This isn't about equality, it's about liberty. Being forced to fight endless, corporate wars is not liberty.

  • 51
    Rebecca
    09/19/2021

    I am generally opposed to a draft system but yes, equality for all genders.

  • 107
    James
    09/19/2021

    Equal rights mean equal sacrifices.

  • 118
    cory
    09/18/2021

    Yes. As a woman who has served in the military already, yes.