WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Warren Davidson issued the following statement regarding the issue on whether women should be required to register for Selective Service.

“Many Americans are unaware that Congress is considering requiring our daughters to register for Selective Service. Congress should not require our nation’s daughters, some of whom have no interest in the military, especially in combat roles, to register for the Selective Service. Families and young women in particular, have had limited knowledge and input regarding what could become yet another edict from Washington.

The draft is specifically for the purpose of filling combat roles. Questions remain about the impact of training standards and unit effectiveness of the decision to open up all combat jobs to women.  Rather than focus on a mission to fight and win our nation’s wars, the Obama Administration has overtly pursued an effort to make the Department of Defense America’s most progressive workforce.

The passage of my Amendment to H.R. 5485, the Financial Services Appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2017, asserts Congress’s Article 1 Section 8 authority to raise and support armies by preventing the Executive or the Judiciary from unilaterally deciding women aged 18-26 must register for the draft. Congress must have a full and open debate on this issue, and preempt Executive or Judicial over-reach on yet another topic vital to families and our nation’s security.”