Shannon Longworth: A BIG DECISION — OR LACK THEREOF — FROM THE U-S SUPREME COURT.
HEY EVERYONE, I’M SHANNON LONGWORTH WITH STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS.
THE SUPREME COURT WILL NOT BE HEARING A CHALLENGE TO THE MALE-ONLY REGISTRATION REQUIREMENT TO THE MILITARY DRAFT.
THE COURT JUST…DECIDED NOT TO.
WHICH MEANS, FOR NOW, ONLY MEN WILL STILL BE REQUIRED TO REGISTER FOR SELECTIVE SERVICE.
THAT’S EVEN THOUGH THERE’S NO DRAFT RIGHT NOW IN THE U-S.
THOSE CHALLENGING THE REQUIREMENT SAY THE POLICY VIOLATES THE CONSTITUTION’S GUARANTEE THAT LAWS APPLY EQUALLY TO EVERYONE.
THE DRAFT REGISTRATION POLICY WAS PUT INTO PLACE IN 19-48 — AND THE SUPREME COURT UPHELD IT IN 19-81.
AT BOTH OF THOSE TIMES — WOMEN WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY.
BUT THE PENTAGON LIFTED THE BAN ON WOMEN IN COMBAT IN 20-13.
LAWYERS BEHIND THIS CHALLENGE ARGUE NOW THAT WOMEN CAN SERVE — SO IT MAKES LITTLE SENSE TO NOT REQUIRE THEM TO REGISTER FOR THE DRAFT.
IN A STATEMENT, JUSTICE SONIA SOTOMAYOR POINTED OUT THAT A CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED ENDING THE MALE-ONLY DRAFT.
SHE WROTE QUOTE, “LONGSTANDING DEFERENCE TO CONGRESS ON MATTERS OF NATIONAL DEFENSE AND MILITARY AFFAIRS CAUTIONS AGAINST GRANTING REVIEW WHILE CONGRESS ACTIVELY WEIGHS THE ISSUE.”