
Senate Democrats Propose Female Draft Registration, Sparking GOP Backlash
A recent proposal by Senate Democrats to include women in the draft has ignited fierce opposition from Republicans and conservative groups. Sens. Jon Tester (D-MT) and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced language in the annual defense authorization bill requiring women to register for the draft, a move that has become a hot-button issue.
This controversial provision has drawn immediate criticism, particularly from those opposing the idea of mandatory draft registration for women. Sam Brown, an Army combat veteran and Republican Senate candidate in Nevada, has made it a focal point of his campaign against Rosen. “Look at my face. This is the high cost of war. Amy and I volunteered to serve, and we honor all who serve. But forcing America’s daughters to register for the draft is UNACCEPTABLE. Shame on Jacky Rosen,” Brown tweeted, referring to injuries he sustained from an IED explosion in Afghanistan.
Leading the charge against the proposal, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) has vowed to strip the provision from the bill. “I’m opposed to that. I don’t think this is the time to get into a debate on the floor of either house about that. We’re not anywhere near implementing a draft, and to me it’s a distraction when we need to be talking about real issues that are immediate,” Wicker said. He expressed confidence that the provision would be removed during the legislative process.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) echoed these sentiments, labeling the idea “insane” in an interview with Fox News. “There shouldn’t be women in the draft. They shouldn’t be forced to serve if they don’t want to. Normal people are like, ‘Leave our daughters alone,’” Hawley stated. He has previously fought to exclude similar language from defense bills, arguing that the proposal attempts to impose a “woke agenda” on the military.
In contrast, supporters of the measure, like Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI), argue that the modern military requires diverse skill sets beyond traditional combat roles. “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 said. He noted that roles in cyber security, intelligence analysis, and other technical fields are crucial and often better suited to individuals with specialized skills, including many women.
The proposal has also drawn criticism from conservative advocacy groups. Advancing American Freedom, affiliated with former Vice President Mike Pence, sent a letter to Senate Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), urging them to oppose the provision. “The notion of the United States of America requiring women to register to fight our wars is simply untenable and must be opposed at all costs,” the letter stated.
Despite these objections, McConnell has called on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) to expedite the defense bill’s passage, including the contentious draft provision. McConnell accused senior Senate Democrats of delaying national defense priorities. “I believe that the Democrats may delay bringing the military bill to the floor, showing they are not ready to take national defense seriously,” McConnell remarked.
The bill’s fate remains uncertain as the congressional calendar narrows ahead of the upcoming elections. “I do hope we get to the floor. It’s very important we have this debate publicly,” Wicker said, though he acknowledged rumors that the bill might not reach the floor soon.
The debate over requiring women to register for the draft continues to highlight deep divisions over military policy and gender roles, with both sides preparing for a contentious battle as the legislative process unfolds.