A Senior Republican on the Armed Services Committee voices objection to suggested modifications in military conscription procedures and the prospect of women being conscripted.
"Apparently, the current discussion about the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) doesn't seem crucial at this moment, especially concerning measures like the draft that aren't likely to happen in the near future. We don't foresee a need for conscription anytime soon, according to Sen. Roger Wicker of Mississippi. He believes the government should focus on its primary duty: tackling immediate threats from international adversaries.
The debate revolves around a proposal by Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and Air Force veteran, who advocates for including language in the NDAA that would automatically register men for the draft using existing federal records, rather than relying on self-registration at age 18. This change could improve compliance and cut costs on outreach efforts.
The House NDAA sailed through committee on a wide 57-1 vote and the full House on a more partisan 217-199 vote.
Sen. Jack Reed, a Democrat from Rhode Island who heads the Senate Armed Services Committee, admitted to being only 'vaguely aware' of the House proposal but remarked it might be worth considering. He questioned if it could be more efficient and effective, ultimately leading to a swifter mobilization and better record maintenance.
Wicker has recently advocated for a substantial defense funding increase starting from the following year to ensure the military remains robust. He highlights the current environment as one of the most menacing periods in US history, given tensions in Europe and the Middle East, and looming threats from Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea.
"We should stay focused on the crisis. The crux of the matter is that we're not prepared to deter these aggressors from making a reckless move regarding our resoluteness. We need to prioritize spending to reach our desired military readiness. There's no need to discuss the draft at this time," Wicker commented.
Another relevant aspect is the requirement for women to register for the draft. The Senate Armed Services Committee's version of the NDAA, approved last week, amends the Military Selective Service Act mandating women to register. Despite its inclusion in the Senate bill, Reed expressed doubts about its survival in the final version of the bill due to GOP opposition to forced conscription for women.
"This has been a contentious issue that I fail to grasp. We've presented amendments that would oblige women to register, but we haven't made any progress on the other side. We're going to keep trying. It makes sense because the military today is a mixed force," he said.
When asked about the prospect of women registering, Wicker responded bluntly – 'no'. However, he has vocalized his views on this issue in the past.
"I admire the women who voluntarily serve in the military and sacrifice daily for our nation's freedom, but compelling their service by law is unjust. I, along with millions of other Americans, cannot back the idea that our daughters and granddaughters would be forced to take part in our next military conflict against their will," Wicker said in 2021 during a similar debate."
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The first sentence that contains the words "conscription" and "women" is: "This change could improve compliance and cut costs on outreach efforts, as Rep. Chrissy Houlahan proposes to automatically register men for the draft using existing federal records, while also advocating for considering the inclusion of women in this process."
The second sentence that contains the words "conscription" and "women" is: "Despite its inclusion in the Senate bill, Reed expressed doubts about its survival in the final version of the bill due to GOP opposition to forced conscription for women."
