As the law currently stands, every “male citizen” and immigrant — regardless of legal status — between the ages of 18 and 26 must register with the Selective Service System, the agency responsible for running a draft. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, a Democrat and former U.S. Air Force officer, wants to strike the word “male” from the bill and expand the registration to all Americans, regardless of race, color, sex or gender.
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Houlahan introduced an amendment to the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require women to register for the first time in U.S. history. Opening up the selective service to all genders has bipartisan support in Congress, but some of the loudest opposition stems from conservatives who have said America’s “daughters, sisters and wives” should not be compelled to “fight our wars.”