The following comments may be attributed to Elaine Donnelly, President of the Center for Military Readiness, an independent public policy organization that reports on and analyzes military/social issues:

“Ongoing turmoil in Afghanistan reminds us that Congress has the constitutional responsibility to look out for the interests of men and women of our military.  Misguided official decisions, designed to promote social agendas over military readiness, can do grievous harm to America’s courageous volunteers in uniform. 

“House actions on the National Defense Authorization Act for 2022 (NDAA), which begin today, should support our military with sound priorities, not political agendas. 

“Legislative decisions and policies that make military operations more difficult and more dangerous are simply unacceptable.

“For this reason, CMR has joined with Concerned Women for America, Heritage Action for America, American Principles Project, Eagle Forum, Independent Women’s Voice, Citizens for Renewing America, Family Research Council, and many other respected organizations and individuals in signing this Coalition Letter:

• Letter to 117^th Congress: Don’t Draft Our Daughters

“In addition, CMR has prepared this concise summary of reasons why legislation mandating Selective Service registration for women should not be enacted in law:

• CMR 2-Page Analysis: Congress Should Remove or Reject any Legislation to “Draft Our Daughters”

“The House Armed Services Committee will be conducting their markup on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for 2022 on Wednesday, September 1.  Several objectionable amendments likely will be offered, including a “Draft Our Daughters” amendment like the one sponsored by Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman (SASC) Jack Reed (D-RI). 

“The Reed Amendment, reportedly approved by the SASC (behind closed doors) on July 21, would alter Selective Service law by changing the words “male citizens” to “all Americans.” 

“Several Republicans let down women and the troops by voting with Chairman Reed, but Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), James Lankford (R-OK), Steve Daines (MT), Roger Wicker (MS) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) introduced a resolution calling for defeat of the Reed amendment.” 

“We expect elected representatives to handle this issue responsibly, putting national security first.  Congress should strike the Reed “Draft Our daughters” amendment in the Senate NDAA for 2022 and oppose any House or Senate legislation that would have the same effect.

More information is available on CMR’s website, www.cmrlink.org, or by calling 734/464-9430.

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 The Center for Military Readiness is an independent, non-partisan, public policy organization that reports on and analyses military social issues.  CMR President Elaine Donnelly, who founded CMR in 1993, can be reached at 734/464-9430.  More information is available on the organization’s website, www.cmrlink.org.