Republicans Shouldn’t Fear Making a Moral Case against Drafting Women

A s Congress considers a measure in a defense-policy bill that would require women to register for the draft, many of the feeble arguments put forth by its Republican detractors follow a utilitarian, morally hollow line of argument.

Other Republicans, such as Senator Mitt Romney (R., Utah), have offered arguments against female conscription. The Wall Street Journal explains that Romney is struggling to reconcile what he views as a conflict between his belief in “the equality of women,” and his desire to not “put women in harm’s way.” The RNC’s 2016 platform opposed female conscription, but only because it would sacrifice military preparedness “on the altar of political correctness.” This is a fine argument as far as it goes, but isn’t there something more egregious about female conscription than this?

Some Republicans — such as Senator Kevin Cramer of North Dakota and Iowa’s Joni Ernst — even support the measure to include women in the draft, citing concerns over maintaining “gender equality” and so-called “fair opportunity.” Back in 2016, it was two Republicans who first introduced a bill requiring women to register for the draft.

Yet other Republicans have taken a different approach to arguing against drafting women. For instance, Representative Mary Miller (R., Ill.) opposed the draft as “immoral,” and Senator Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) called it “part of the Democrats’ ongoing social agenda” and even introduced an amendment to the bill in question that would prohibit women from being required to register for the draft.

Republicans against the measure also tend to cite the greater physical strength men naturally have over women. Requiring females to register for the draft, they argue, would be unfair to women and jeopardize our national security.

On this, they’re certainly correct. This is an argument that can and should be made. But as it lacks a necessary moral component, it is insufficient. Many Republicans are loath to admit that, beyond the fact that women lack the physical strength necessary for combat, it is profoundly shameful to send our mothers and daughters to war.

Such an argument would, of course, require us to assert some measure of traditional, natural gender roles, something the mainline GOP is increasingly unwilling to do. This past May, while (rightly) criticizing the extended lockdown of schools across the country, the official GOP Twitter account bemoaned that “Biden is proving to be a detriment to getting mothers back to work” because “many are staying home to take care of their children.” Many within the GOP appear to buy the mainstream feminist argument that equality means “equity,” and that if women are choosing a more traditional role at home, this is evidence of discrimination. Too many Republicans seem unwilling to assert the significance of a nation where women can choose a more traditional role.

Women should undoubtedly be granted equal opportunity to pursue a career, yet our strength as a nation is not found in the “equity” of our military forces. Furthermore, as important as military preparedness is, our strength is not only found in a strong national defense. The “home front,” rather, represents an important harbinger of our national security and strength. And on the home front, it is women who tend to be the captains, majors, and generals.

My point, of course, is not to disparage the many brave women who have served in the military. No doubt, they have served this country well. Americans are very grateful for their service. But these extraordinary women chose this path. Other women unwilling to make this choice should not be forced into it. And to argue against this, we must ultimately accept that fundamental differences between men and women make the latter generally less fit for military service.

Furthermore, the U.S. at large rejects this measure. An Ipsos poll found that only 45 percent of Americans want women to be required to register for the draft, down from 63 percent when a similar measure was initially introduced in 2016. Women are even less supportive of the measure than men: Only 36 percent of women favor the measure (compared with 55 percent of men). Ultimately, female conscription remains a dream only of those in the ivory towers.

Or at least, it should. But at the moment, an amendment to the defense-policy bill which would require women to register for the draft is being debated in the Senate. To combat it, Republicans shouldn’t be afraid to make a moral argument against female conscription. Not only is public opinion on their side, but nature itself is as well. And no capitulation to “equity” or “fairness” will make our failure to do so any less shameful.