Expanding the draft would mean that almost no legal restrictions remain for women in the armed forces
Though the compulsory military draft ended in 1973, controversy over who could be called to serve did not. Conscription was so unpopular in the wake of the Vietnam war that after 1975 men were not even required to register for the Selective Service, the directory of those eligible to be drafted. The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 prompted President Jimmy Carter to reinstate the requirement for men, but Congress balked at the potential inclusion of women.
When President Barack Obama opened combat roles to women in 2015, the legal logic barring women from the draft came undone. Putting women in combat was initially met with resistance. Republicans argued it would undermine the cohesiveness of America’s armed forces and former generals voiced concerns. But President Donald Trump left the reform untouched, and the controversy faded.
Lawmakers on Capitol Hill are now deploying several progressive arguments in favour of drafting women. Standing in for fellow Democrats, Ms Houlahan introduced the amendment by saying that, “as the selective service system is currently written, it is unconstitutional and discriminates based on sex.” Republican proponents like Congressman Mike Waltz, also a sponsor of the amendment, make a practical case.
Yet this bipartisan consensus is notable for how little support it has in public opinion, particularly among women. While a little more than half of men endorse drafting women, just 36% of women do so. Kara Vuic, a historian at Texas Christian University, notes that the first push for women in the draft in the early 1970s was paired with feminist promotion of the Equal Rights Amendment, a proposed constitutional amendment guaranteeing women’s rights.
. But a broader debate over the future of the military draft continues. Senators Ron Wyden and Rand Paul have proposed abolishing the Selective Service entirely. Others bemoan the increasing cultural gap between soldiers and civilians, calling for a revival of compulsory national service. Such differences are less easily bridged.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
F.D.A. Panel Rejects Biden’s Push for Universal COVID-19 Booster ShotsExpert advisers said the Pfizer boosters should be available for people older than 65 and for those at risk of severe illness.
Read more »
Earn holiday money before the holidaysAmericans are expected to shell out roughly $1,000 during the holiday season. The earlier you start to earn holiday money, the easier it becomes.
Read more »
38 percent of Americans say giving 1st vax shots to other nations more important than boostersThe poll by Yahoo News/YouGov also found that 73 percent of vaccinated Americans said they would get a booster shot if it became available to them.
Read more »
Mj Rodriguez Becomes First Trans Woman Up for Major Acting EmmyThe category is: making history. Mj Rodriguez has become the first transgender performer to pick up an Emmy nomination in a major acting category. Rodriguez is nominated in the lead drama actress c…
Read more »
If you’ve bought chicken in the last 10 years, you may be eligible for paymentYou may have been overcharged for chicken.
Read more »
Will the Santa Monica-Malibu schools divorce go forward? Yes, but ....The secession movement shows no sign of ending anytime soon.
Read more »