Congress Debates Expanding US Military Draft to Include Women

Proposed changes to the Selective Service System face opposition despite recruitment challenges and geopolitical threats.

The House passed a bill to automatically register all eligible men for the draft, but it faces hurdles in the Senate.
The Senate's version includes a provision to require women to register, a measure that has failed in the past.
Top GOP senators argue that the focus should be on immediate defense needs rather than draft changes.
The US military fell short of recruitment goals by 41,000 in 2023, prompting discussions on draft reforms.
Public opinion on the military is mixed, with 43% of young adults viewing it positively.