Wicker, the top-ranking Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, said he’ll try to strip it out of the bill.
“I’m opposed to that. I don’t think this is the time to get into a debate on the floor of either house about that. We’re not anywhere near implementing a draft, and to me it’s a distraction when we need to be talking about real issues that are immediate,” he said.
“I hope it will fall out, either on the floor or in conference,” he added.
But Senate Armed Services Committee Chair Jack Reed, D-R.I., defended the proposed policy change, arguing that women can hold many warfighting positions without serving as front-line infantry troops.
“Women are doing a remarkable job in our forces today, and if we were in a situation requiring a draft, I think we would need all able-bodied citizens 18 and above,” he said.
“If we go to a draft, that means we’re in a serious, serious situation,” he added.