Letter to the Hon. John McCain, Mac Thornberry, Jack Reed, Adam Smith, Chairmen and Ranking Members, Congressional Armed Services Committees - Regarding Women Registering for Selective Service

Letter

Dear Chairman McCain:
Ranking Member Reed:
Chairman Thornberry:
Ranking Member Smith:

We, the undersigned, request your consideration on a matter of great importance as you prepare for conference negotiations on the FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

As you know, the Senate-passed bill includes language that would, for the first time, require women to register for the Selective Service. We believe it is better to refrain from this expansion and to instead, task an independent commission to study the purpose and utility of the Selective Service System, specifically determining whether the current system is unneeded, if it is sufficient, or if it needs an expanded pool of potential draftees.

We should not hinder the brave men and women of our armed forces by entrapping them in unnecessary cultural issues. Our all-volunteer military is the best military the world has ever seen, and women who wish to serve in this military are free to do so. The provision of the FY17 NDAA requiring women to register for the Selective Service should be removed.

We respectfully ask that you remain mindful of our opposition as you negotiate the final conference product. Specifically, we urge you to adopt the House position.

Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE)
Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT)
Senator John Thune (R-SD)
Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS)
Senator James Inhofe (R-OK)
Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA)
Senator John Boozman (R-AR)
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT)
Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)
Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
Senator Mike Lee (R-UT)
Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
Senator David Perdue (R-GA)
Senator James Risch (R-ID)
Senator Tim Scott (R-SC)
Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)