Congress Drops Effort to Register Women for Military Service
The move is largely symbolic because the U.S. currently has a voluntary military.
Marine recruits navigate an obstacle on the Confidence Course during boot camp on Feb. 27, 2013, at MCRD Parris Island, South Carolina.
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A year of debate over the role of women in the military ended today when the House passed a defense policy bill shorn of a requirement for female Selective Service registration.
The $619 billion defense policy bill also would authorize $440 million for a new amphibious ship -- a contract eyed by General Dynamics’ Nassco unit and Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc. -- and approve the purchase of Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp. aircraft. After the 375-34 vote in the House, the bill goes to the Senate.