Women would have to register for the draft under an amendment added to an annual defense bill Wednesday.
“If we want equality in this country, if we want women to be treated precisely like men are treated and that they should not be discriminated against, then we should support a universal conscription,” Rep. Jackie Speier (D-Calif.) said.
The House Armed Services Committee voted 32-30 to include the amendment in the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Congress has been debating what to do about the draft since Defense Secretary Ash Carter opened up all combat jobs to women late last year.
In 1981, the Supreme Court ruled that women did not have to register for the draft because combat jobs were closed to them.
With that reason now moot, some lawmakers have argued women should now register. Others want women to remain exempt, while still others say this is the opportune time to abolish the draft altogether.
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