U.S. Senate votes to require women to register for draft

JACKSON, Tenn. –This week, the U.S. Senate approved a Defense Bill that could bring big changes to women and the military draft.

The Senate recently approved a $602 billion Defense Bill. Included in the legislation is an amendment that would, for the first time, require young women to register for the draft.

Under the bill, women turning 18 on or after January 1, 2018, would be required to register for selective service just as men are required to do now.

Both Senators Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker responded to the passing of the bill.

“I agree with all the military service branch chiefs who told the Senate that it is illogical to require only men to register for the Selective Service now that all combat roles are open to women,” Sen. Alexander said. “A broad bipartisan Senate majority agreed with our military leaders when we approved the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 85 to 13 this week.”

Sen. Corker focused on the entire Defense Bill.

“I am pleased this bill stays within the current budget caps because the greatest long-term security threat to our nation is the inability to get our fiscal house in order,” Corker said. “As this legislation advances, I hope we continue to make prudent fiscal decisions that allow us to provide our men and women in uniform — including the tens of thousands who call Tennessee home — the tools they need to defend our nation from a variety of threats at home and abroad. By setting priorities and investing responsibly, we can maintain a strong national defense at a time when U.S. leadership around the world matters more than ever.”

The United States has not used the draft since 1973 during the Vietnam War, but that doesn’t soothe mothers in Jackson.

“My daughter just turned 18, and I really don’t like the idea of her having to sign up for a draft,” Leah Parrish said. “That would really worry me.”

“I think 18-year-old girls should take advantage of going to college, going to school, preparing a future for themselves,” LaShonda Springfield said.

While some see this as a win for equal rights, others think differently.

“I don’t think this would fit in that category. It’s just different,” Springfield said. “This is war, and it’s different from equal rights, period.”

The debate will now go up against the House of Representatives.

If put into place, it would not affect women who turned 18 before 2018.